Beaverton Historical Society
Gladwin County Obituary/Death Notice
 
John Kelly


   PASSES AWAY SUDDENLY

SUCCUMBS TO HEART ATTACK SUNDAY EVENING AT HOME HERE

SHERIFF ARTHUR KELLY

   Funeral services for Sheriff John Arthur Kelly, 59, will be held Thurday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Miner Funeral Home. Sheriff Kelly died suddenly at 6:30 o'clock Sunday evening at his home following a heart attack. He had been ill for several days with a severe cold, but had conducted his duties as usual and his condition had not been believed serious. He was one of the county's best known personalities, having been a resident here for 53 years and serving as sheriff for the past 12 years. Born in Shakespeare, Ont., Sept. 5, 1894, he came to Gladwin with his mother when six years olf, following the death of his father.

   After completion of school, he worked as a mechanic at the Ford garage until he enlisted in the U.S. Army May 26, 1918. Mr. Kelly served in France with teh 339th Inf. Division an dwith the Polar Bear expedition in Russia, receiving his discharge July 7, 1919. He returned to his employment as an auto mechanic and later operated the Standard Service Station for several years. In 1932 he moved his family to a farm in Sage Township, where he resided until he was elected sheriff in 1942. He married the former Miss Mae E. Flach at Oberlin on July 3, 1923. Serving his sixth consecutive term, when stricken, he as widely known and respected among state law enforcement officers.

   Surviving are his wife, Mae; one son, John A. Kelly, Jr.; one daughter, Miss Betty Kelly, at home; two sisters, Mrs. Louise Smith, treasurer of Gladwin County, and Mrs. Jessie Sexton of Pinconning; one brother, Clarence Hunt, of Traverse City. Sheriff Kelly was a member and past commander of the Gladwin Veterans of Foreign Wars post; and of the state Sheriff's Association.

   The Rev. Sidney S. Rood of Houghton Lake and the Rev. William T. Elliott of Gladwin will officiate at the funeral rites and burial will be in Highland cemetery. Services at the grave wil be under the auspices of the VFW post with veterans from both Gladwin and Beaverton taking part. Honorary pallbearers will be Mayor Gordon M. Smith and Captain Earl Secrist, district commander of the Bay City State Police headquarters.

   Members of the Michigan State Police serving as pallbearers are Sgt. Lynn Smith and Tpr. LeRoy McClure of West Branch, Det. Sgt. Russell Aldrich, Det. Walter Barkell and Tpr. Clifford Demsky of Bay City, Cpl. Frank Roti of East Tawas, Cpl. Carl Gray of Marquette and Tpr. Edward Malette of Newberry.

 
 
Personal Information
Death Date
Burial/Final Location
Service
03/07/1954
Highland Cemetery, Gladwin, MI
MI Cpl Co G 339 Inf WWI
 
Publication Information
Pub. Date
Publication
Pub. Page
03/10/1954
Gladwin County Record, Gladwin, MI
P:1 C:1
 
Transcription Information
Date
Transcribed by
Source Media
January 2005
Tom Ladner
Microfilm
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Posted by Bob Frei assisted by Jeff Naugle