I often think of my friend Ronnie and how we spent a lot of time together as we finished our teenage years. From age 12 to age 19 he and I spent a lot of time together. Playing baseball, street football, going to church, driving around in his dad's chevy vega! Finding our first real love and getting married in the same year. I will always miss and remember my dear friend.

Ronnie,
There isn’t enough words or for that fact any words that can give you the justices you deserve. I can’t believe you are gone. You definitely made me a better person just by knowing you. I just wish we could have had one more conversation together. I’m not sure if I’ll ever get over you passing so suddenly. You will be missed. I won’t ever forget how much of a giving friend you were were to my wife and I. Until we meet again!
Our sincere condolences go out to the entire Kelley Family.
Doug and Jodi Jokerst

Ronny,as he was known back then,was like a brother to me when we were very young.
His parents both worked during the day so my mom looked after him.
We had many (mis)adventures together.There was the time during the blizzard of 67 that I got stuck between a huge snowdrift and the back of our garage.Ronny fell in too trying to get me out.It took a while but we were able to climb out.We never told any adults because we thought we would get in trouble.
Then there was the time we were playing with some old rusty Tonka trucks that were left out in front of the neighbors house.Ronny tripped and  fell on one and got a nasty cut above his upper lip that required stitches.
We drifted apart in our teens but I was glad to see he lived a rich and rewarding life.
Sadly, my brother David passed away due to covid on the 24th.It was like losing two brothers in one week.

Ron and family, I'm in shock over the sudden loss of your father and want to extend my condolences. Your father was highly respected and deeply loved by all who knew him. His presence and influence in the mill will be greatly missed.


Hey boss AKA sunshine it's Bobby Johnson AKA radio who would have thought that the Sunday before Thanksgiving would be the last time that you and I would ever tease each other again. As you left the building you said like you always did Bobby be good be careful be safe. I want to thank you Ron from the bottom of my heart for what you have done for me and my family. I remember in 2009 when I lost my dad and 2013 when I lost my grandma. You said to me Bobby what is it that you need, whatever you need I got you. They don't make bosses like that, that came from your heart. Simply put you are the best boss I've ever had in my life. I love you Ron always and forever until we meet again rest in peace.

There's a lot i can say about you Ron.  How great a boss you were. You looked out for all of us, Truly cared about us. You were always there for me, through it all.  You & my dad! The two of you were the same type of person. Caring, good-hearted,  sincere. I love you &  I'm gonna miss you. My condolences to the kelley family & to everyone that is hurting through this. We lost one of the great ones.   

Love you Ron

Like Tom, I have a few additional memories to share. Ron was born exactly 51 weeks after me, so on his birthday, I would mention that for one week, we were the same age. As a kid, I remember riding with him in his little black micro car; he wouldn’t let me drive it though. As teenagers, I remember spending Saturday mornings watching American Bandstand on the giant Zenith console in his back living room. Ron helped me get my first job at H Salt Fish and Chips; they weren’t going to hire me but he put in a good word for me, vouching that a would be a hard worker. Finally, I remember the neighborhood sleepovers in his garage. It’s where Bennie and the Jets became ingrained in my mind. He was a great listener and a lot of fun to be around. He will be missed. 

A few more memories with Ronnie; 
   1965: I was 7 and he was 6. He tried to bully me so I punched him in the nose. I felt so bad, mostly because he was my friend, but party because my Mom gave me a spanking!
1972: I was 14 and he was 13. His Mom & Dad took us to church and in Mr. Boardway's Sunday school class I accepted Christ.
1973: I was 15 and he was 14. We were on the same Babe ruth baseball team. I played left field and he was pitcher. Our catcher got hurt so they had me come in to catch (being the oldest on the team). So Ronnie was pitching and I was catching. We had played catch hundreds of times before so it was a great fit.
1975: I was 17 and he was 16. We both got our drivers license and we drove around all summer in Ronnies Dad's Chevy Vega. I bought a Plymouth station wagon from Ronnie's uncle Larry. Ronnie went to Hammond Baptist HS and I went to Gavit. He was always visiting some girls from Hammond Baptist who lived in Hessville. He invited me on one of the visits and he introduced me to Joni. I married her! (we have been married for 45 years).
1977: I was 19 and he was 18. We both worked at the Hammond Times as "Proof Boys". Then we got better jobs at Pullman Standard, he was a Material Handler and I was a Car Electrician. We both married (he married Patty & I married Joni). We both had new born babies (he had little Ronnie and I had little Tommy). Pullman went on strike and we left for better jobs. Ronnie went to LaSalle Steel and I went to Inland Steel. Our schedules were very different and we lost touch. 
I also remember that my Mom use to baby sit "little Bob" for Ronnie's brother and sister in-law Bob & Pat.
I live in northern KY now and my wife has health issues so I will not be able to make it up to the funeral. The Kelley family will always have a special place in my heart, and again I am very sorry for your loss.

My condolences goes out to the Kelley family. I didn't know Ron personally but Ron and my father Bobby Johnson was very good friends. He left a impact on my life by helping me get my very first job at Jewel,s at the age of 16 and I will forever be grateful. To a really great guy may he rest in peace.🙏♥️  Kandyss Mitchell. 

Ron was, by far, the best boss I ever had and the only one that actually cared and looked out for his workers. He is one of the main reasons I can provide for my family and was always there to ask how things were going. My most sincere condolences to everyone in the family. The mill will truly never be the same without him. 

I remember when I lived next door in Porter to Ron and his Beautiful Family. When we first moved in they welcomed us so kindly! Years  passed we became good friends and my husband Ed bought a dog so we put up a privacy fence.  Ron and Ed would put a cooler or a ladder/step stool and so would Kelly and I to see each other to talk to one another.  Ron always said he was going to cut a section out!! LOL what fun we had!!

I love you, and I’m going to miss you. You were more than a boss to me, you were like my dad, and I’m thankful to have had you in my life 

 My DEEPEST condolences to the Kelley Family! It saddened me to hear the news! I greatly enjoyed working for Ron a.k.a. BOSS is what I’d always call him, and knowing him for 10 years! He was a GREAT man, with a big heart that will be truly missed by all of us! See ya later BOSS! 

I'm going to miss you buddy. You was a great boss and friend. Love you buddy!!

I’m sorry to hear about your loss. Ron was a great childhood friend and we were close from age 5 to 21. I remember the street football games and Ronnie was the best QB. I remember riding around in his dads Chevy Vega and Ronnie introduced me to my wife Joni.

Ron was such a good man. My deepest condolences to family and friends. 

Oh I am so sad to hear this news! May Ron rest in peace!  Now he and Ed will be in heaven having a lot of fun. I am so sorry. My deepest sympathy and sincere condolences to you Kelly and the boys and Shannon and rest of the family. Ron was such a good neighbor and friend. 

So sorry for your loss Kelly, Shannon and the Kelley family! You were by far one of the best bosses I’ve ever had. I’ve had the pleasure of working with you for 17 years.  You were more than just a boss though. You were a great friend and even better mentor. You would always ask how my wife and family were doing.  Always kept me in line at work. You made work fun, as odd as that might sound. You had a presence when you walked in the door every morning. You’re a freakin’ LEGEND!  LaSalle and the world will not be the same without you. You will be missed Warden. Miss you so much. Until meet again. Love ya

To the Kelley family;
     To those of you who may not know me, my name is Nick and I am Shannon's biological father. I just want to say to all of you that I am truly sorry for your loss and you are all in my prayers. 
   I will say this about Ron, for obvious reasons he and I had a rough start when we first met, but as time went by and I put my anger aside and got to know the man he was, I began to refer to him as a friend when I spoke about him to other people. I began to realize my anger wouldn't let me see him for the stand up man that he was. You see, Ron became the dad I shamefully admit I wasn't ready to be. The husband that I was too selfish, and immature to be. And for that I am grateful that he became a part of Kelly's and Shannon's lives, and well in a sense, even a part of mine. He would let me know what my daughter was up to, made sure I knew about her graduation and even made up pictures and videos of that special day which really meant more to me than I think he realized. Kelly, you did good with him and I am truly from the bottom of my sorry that you and Shannon as well as the entire Kelley family are going through this. 
   You both did a wonderful job with Shannon and I couldn't be more proud of the beautiful young lady she has become because of the two of you. Although I have never said it, I have in so many ways been thankful that someone the likes of Ron was there to step in and pick up the broken pieces I left behind.
   I would like to close this by saying;
   "Ron, as you're looking down from above, I hope you take the time to read these words I wish I would have said to you a long time ago and in person..."
       "THANK YOU!!!"
  


I am so sorry Kelly.  You all are in my thoughts & prayers.  Losing someone you love is never easy especially during the holidays.  Ron was such a good person & my friend.  I will always remember our Bears get togethers & our talks at work.  You will be missed by so many Ron.  RIP my friend.   

Many great years together at LaSalle. You will be missed my friend!


Although I did not know Ron well, I will always appreciate the father figure and friend that he was in my daughter Rachel's life. She is Ron's oldest son's wife. She will miss him greatly.

To my brother and friend. Ron’s compassion, loyalty and dedication went far beyond than anyone could realize. Family was first in his life and meant everything to him. Those who knew him had a loyal friendship that would never be compromised. He will be truly missed by everyone and especially by me. I will miss you and always remember you. Love
Mike J. Matson

No more sac swingers ….

So sorry to hear. He was a great childhood friend. Our condolences on your loss. 

Jeff &Kathy Painter

Praying for your Family 
May God comfort you and your family.  

OBITUARY

Ronald L. Kelley, Sr.

6 January, 1959 – 21 December, 2021

Chapel Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens

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