Francis Kelley, 70, of Ottawa, passed away Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at his home, surrounded by his family, after a lengthy illness.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, August 15, from 2:00pm until 5:00pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will be held on Sunday, August 16, at 2:00pm at Ottawa Funeral Home, with Rev. Bill Clark officiating. Burial will follow in Galloway Cemetery in Marseilles.
Francis was born on April 5, 1956 in Streator, IL to Frank and Mildred (Christianson) Kelley. He attended Seneca High School in Seneca, IL. He married the love of his life, Cathy Martin, on March 21, 1977.
Francis worked at Illinois Power, which is now Ameren, for 31 years as a power lineman and tree trimmer. He would like to thank everyone for the fabulous training and camaraderie of his fellow employees and friends during his career.
Francis loved being a life ranked boy scout and later on being a leader of Troop 99 in Marseilles, IL. He loved fishing, camping, hunting, and trapping. He was an avid sports fan of the Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs. He participated in team sports at Seneca Grade School and High School and played many years of slow pitch softball around the Ottawa Area. But his greatest love was restoring classic Chevelles and Camaros to show car condition. He was a member of LaSalle County Cruisers and Blood, Sweat, and Gears.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Cathy (Martin) Kelley; his son, Jeramie (Krystal Kae) Kelley; his daughter, Kristina (Jason) Palicki; 6 grandchildren, AJ Palicki, Lauryn Palicki, Aleck, Jaykob, Christian, and Rebekah Kelley; 4 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; as well as his sisters and brother in laws, Carolyn (Randy) Hooper; Sue (William) Dean, Ron (Tina) Martin, Don (Diann) Martin, and Linda Martin.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Mildred; and his step sisters, Dorothy Genesi and Helen Hatter both of Pekin, Il.
Pallbearers will be AJ Palicki, Aleck Kelley, Jaycob Kelley, Christian Kelley, Brian Armstrong, John Benett, and Randy Hooper.
The online guest book may be viewed and remembrances shared at www.ottawafuneralhome.com
Ottawa Funeral Home & Crematory
1111 LaSalle St, Ottawa Illinois 61350
815-433-0300
www.ottawafuneralhome.com