James G. Kelly, Jr.

James George Kelly, Jr. 85, of Elkhart, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021, at IU North in Carmel, following a brief illness. He was born to James George Sr. and Ellen (Lawson) Kelly, in Chicago, Illinois, on June 3rd, 1936.
He married Mary Louise Rickord, on June 21, 1958, in Chicago, IL. His wife preceded him in death on this same date, Dec 29, one year earlier. They were married for 62 years.

Surviving are four sons, Michael, Patrick (Peg), and James J. (Julie), all of Elkhart, and John, of Mishawaka, seven grandchildren, Rachel (Chad Weaver), Bryan (Audrey), Brett (Brittney), Brooke (Ben Polk), Erin (Andy Manoloff), Brady and Logan Kelly. Five great-grandchildren, Asher and Evelyn Kelly, Cameron and Amelia Polk, and Lucas Manoloff. Also surviving are sisters, Mary Ellen Hanlon and Elaine (Michael) Doyle, sisters-in-law, Erma Rickord and Jean Stewart, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He retired from Miles Labs where he worked as an accountant for 20 years. He was raised in Chicago, IL and graduated from Loyola University. He moved to Elkhart in 1968 and was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, in Bristol. He was a huge sports fan, particularly when it involved watching his four sons or grandchildren as they participated in multiple sports. He and Mary Lou enjoyed attending Notre Dame football and basketball games, and Jim was a lifetime fan of the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cardinals before they relocated to Saint Louis in 1959.

Arrangements are private and entrusted to Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46514. Online condolences at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com