Edward R. "Papal" Kelley

Edward R. "Papal" Kelley, age 78 of Fairfield Township, began his new journey in life on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 1:00 AM. He was born on September 17, 1930 to Sallie Bessie (Neeley) and Thomas Kelley in Berea, Kentucky. Edward attended Durham Ridge School in Kentucky and Hamilton Public Schools in Ohio. He retired from Mosler Safe Company after 40 years of service. Edward was a very devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend, and touched the lives of many. He was proud to be a great-grandfather and felt blessed when he became a great-great-grandfather. Edward enjoyed sharing his life experiences with his family and friends, listening to bluegrass music, talking on his CB, camping, bowling, reading his Bible and The Jackson County Sun, doing crossword puzzles, and playing with his dog, Bella. On January 20, 1951 he married Fannie E. King in Liberty, Indiana. He was a member and deacon of North Fairfield Baptist Church and a member of the Benjamin Franklin Lodge #719 F&AM. Edward was also a 32nd degree Mason, member of Valley of Cincinnati Scottish Rite, and Syrian Shriners. Edward bowled for Mosler Safe Company, Five Points Barber Shop, and Russ Moore TV Service.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Fannie (King) Kelley; two daughters, Brenda Puckett of Hamilton and Barbara Grear of Dayton; four grandchildren, Angel Queen of Hamilton, Harry (Cheryl) Puckett of Milford, Kelli Harmon of Hamilton, and Kimberly (Mike) Rice of Temecula, California; six great-grandchildren, Miranda Queen of Hamilton, Joslin Puckett of Hamilton, Rachel Queen of Hamilton, Bryan Leis of Temecula, California, Katie Puckett of Milford, and Lilly Harmon of Fairfield; and one great-great granddaughter, Rylee Chandler of Hamilton; his twin sister, Edna (Bige) Treadway of Fairfield; a sister, Geraldine Hounshell of Franklin; a brother, Benny (Polly) Durham of Kentucky; and many nieces, nephews, and friends, including close friends Dave Lilibridge, Linda McDonald and Alan Croy. Edward was preceded in death while he was still an infant by his father, Thomas Kelley; his mother, Sallie (Neeley) Durham and his father that raised him, Benjamin L. Durham; brothers, Clyde Kelley, Lester Durham, and Jimmy Durham; and a sister, Christine (Kelley) Gabbard.

Funeral service will be held at the Brown-Dawson Funeral Home, 330 Pershing Avenue, on Saturday, March 7, 2009 at 10:00 AM with Rev. Mark Wilson of North Fairfield Baptist Church officiating . Burial will follow in Rose Hill Burial Park. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Masonic services will be held Friday evening at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Shriner’s Hospital. The family extends a heartfelt thank you to Edward’s granddaughter by marriage, Cheryl Puckett, for the compassion, care, comfort and love that she gave our father and grandfather.