James D. Kelly

James D. “Jim” Kelly, 60, of Rochester died at 2:55 p.m. on Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at Memorial Medical Center. Jim was born February 3, 1947 in Joliet, the son of Joseph and Dorothy Dolan Kelly. He married Gwendolyn “Penny” Cerven on April 11, 1971 in Joliet. Jim graduated from St. Rose Grade School in Wilmington in 1961 and was the Valedictorian of the 1965 class of St. Bede Academy in Peru, IL. He graduated from Lewis University in 1969 and the College of Law at the University of Illinois in 1972. Jim was an attorney with the Presney, Kelly & Presney law firm. He was a member of the Sangamon County Bar Association and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Jim was a former member of the Church of the Little Flower Men’s Club and Parent’s Club and coached boys’ grade school basketball there. He enjoyed history, a good argument, reading poetry and Shakespeare, and was a Bears, Illini and Cub Fan. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Richard and Mark Kelly and a niece, Erin Kelly. He is survived by his wife: Penny of Rochester; two sons: Michael Patrick Kelly of Chicago and Matthew Cerven Kelly (fiancé, Theresa Heneghan) of Berkeley, IL; four brothers: Daniel (wife, JoAnne) of Summerville, SC, Paul (companion, Karen Ragsdale) of Trinity, FL, John (companion, Michael Rosa) of New Orleans, LA and Leo (wife, Kim) of Palatine; two sisters: Rita (husband, Dick Cronin) Kelly of Seattle, WA and Terri Kelly of Kenosha, WI; two aunts, two uncles, several nieces and nephews, and numerous cousins and one grandpuppy, Mieke. The family will receive friends from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 10, 2007 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. Springfield. The visitation will begin with a prayer service at 1:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held in Wilmington, IL at a later date, with burial in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Erin Kelly Scholarship Fund, Summerville Catholic School, 226 Black Oak Dr., Summerville, SC 69485, or the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Grade School, 815 S 6th Street, Springfield, IL 62705 The family of James D. “Jim” Kelly is being served by Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. Springfield for local ceremonies. O’Neil Funeral Home is providing services in Wilmington, IL.