Norman V. "Norm" Kelly

He was born on April 24, 1932 in Peoria to Orris and Lillian (Ryan) Kelly and grew up in the El Vista neighborhood.

He married Gloria Keith on September 23, 1961 in Peoria. She survives.

Also surviving is daughter, Lynne Renee (Paul) Schelly of Davenport, IA; son, Keith (Angie) Kelly of Peoria; grandchildren, Brooke (Chris) Galvan of New Lenox, IL and Sam Schelly of Davenport; sister, Sara Shatto; brother, David (Debbie) Kelly; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and 8 siblings.

Norm was a life-long Peorian, a graduate from Woodruff High School, class of 1950, and a Distinguished Alumni, 2006. He graduated from Bradley University in 1958 after returning from the Korean War where he served as a S/Sgt. in a Medical Unit. Norm was a retired Private Investigator and Para-Legal.

He was a well-known radio personality having appeared on all of the local talk shows in Peoria as well as several TV shows. He had written 10 books about the history of Peoria, Illinois, writing mostly about the bawdy, seedy and dangerous elements of Peoria's long history, 1845 through 1950.

He wrote close to 300 short stories, including mystery, fiction and adventure pieces. He was a member of the prestigious Mystery Writers of America for many years.

Norm was awarded the Landin Award from the Peoria Park District and two distinguished service awards from the Peoria and State Police Departments. He represented the United States as the U.S. Clue Champion in 1986 in a World competition in New York City. He wrote OFFICER DOWN, a book that chronicled the death of officers that had died in the line of duty here in Peoria. He wrote stories of 5 other officers that had died in the line of duty but were never honored. These men's names are now on all three police memorials in Illinois and Washington, DC. Norm discovered that PFC Zimmerman was not on the Korean Monument here in Peoria. Zimmerman was the first soldier with ties to Peoria to die in the Korean War. He is now listed on the monument.

Norm wrote hundreds of articles about Peoria and wrote for NEWS and VIEWS and stories for The Times Observer, Arts and Society, Journal Star, and Downstate Story. He had stories printed in multiple newspapers, America's Most Wanted, dozens of newsletters and Central Illinois Business Publisher's and Down State Stories. Norm wrote THE CASE OF THE MISSING MANUSCRIPT for the Peoria Library. This play was shown on local TV and starred local celebrities. His latest book was FALSE FACE and GENESIS: The Park Murders... is Norm's former book that sold out the first two printings. He has 55 stories on the Peoria library's web site and was a frequent speaker at service clubs and luncheons.

You can read some of his stories at http://peoriahistorian.blogspot.com/blog and www.peoriapubliclibrary.org. Go to WHAT WE DO then under the title of 'Let's Talk Peoria History,' his picture will appear. You can also Google him. Norm wrote a two-act play that was performed by the Pleasant Valley High School in Bettendorf, Iowa.

Norm had been writing since 1982 and over the years had given over $12,000.00 to local non-profit organizations here in Peoria, Illinois.

Per his wishes, cremation rites have been accorded. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home.