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