Joseph Michael Kelly

Joseph Michael Kelly was born in Brooklyn, New York on December 1, 1932, the only child of Gerard William Kelly and Hildred (O’Reilly) Kelly. In 1941, the family moved to Arlington, Virginia. Joseph attended St. Charles Elementary School, St. John’s College High School, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and during his employment with the General Accounting Office he had the honor of attending the National War College at Ft. McNair. Joe served in the Army for two years of active duty at Fort Meyer in Arlington after college and then an additional 6 years in the Army Reserve.

Joe married the love of his life, Catherine T. Neubeck in December of 1954 and together they had seven children.

He retired from the GAO in 1988 after a long and distinguished career and in 2004 Joe and Catherine moved from Washington, DC to Marion, Illinois.

Joe died peacefully in the presence of his family on September 27, 2022.

Joe was predeceased by his parents and his son, Michael. He is survived by his wife Catherine and his children, Patricia Kelly, Karen Kelly-Shea, (Denny), Jeanne Marie Nealon, (Bob), Mary Margaret Kelly, (Mike Thompson), Brian Kelly, (Stefania) and Monica Murphy, (John). He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and three great grandsons.

There will be a wake from 4:00-7:00 PM on Monday, October 10, 2022, at Binkley-Ross Funeral Home located at 1702 W. Boulevard Street, Marion, Illinois 62959 and a Funeral Mass on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, beginning at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church located at 600 N. Russell Street, Marion, Illinois 62959. Inurnment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial donations in Joe’s honor may be made to St. Joseph’s Funeral Fund or to the Friends of Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge.

Please visit www.binkleyross.com to leave online condolences.