Kelly M. Santangelo

Kelly M. Santangelo was born Feb. 3, 1933, in Independence. He was preceded in death by his father, Tony Santangelo, and mother, Frances Elizabeth Triolo Santangelo. Also preceding him in death were his beloved wife, Bessie Goynes Santangelo; and two precious children, a son, Wallace Keith "Bear" Santangelo, and a daughter, Kathy Santangelo Mathews. Mr. Santangelo died at 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 14, 2007, after a courageous battle with emphysema. In his life, he was a wonderful husband, father, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather of many precious grandsons and grand daughters, nieces and nephews as well as myriad friends. He loved and served his precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, having been led to Christ by the faithful proclamation of the gospel by a dear friend. He was baptized with Christian baptism on Easter Sunday morning in 1991 at Park Forest Baptist Church where he served as a member of the board of deacons until his death. Visiting will be at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., on Sunday, Dec. 16, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visiting at Park Forest Baptist Church on Monday, Dec. 17, from 9 a.m. until religious service at 11 a.m. He was a retired local businessman, having owned Kelly's Food Store on Plank Road for many years. Kelly's Food Store is still owned and operated as a family business by his brother, Russell Santangelo. Mr. Kelly was a patriarch of his family, living by example before his many family members, friends and business acquaintances. His was a life of unselfish devotion and service to God and man. "He taught us how to live, to love, and how to die." This epitaph was expressed so eloquently by his grandchildren in the final hours of Mr. Kelly's life. He is survived by a son, Mickey Santangelo and wife Brenda Murray Santangelo; a son-in-law, Leonard Mathews; a daughter-in-law, Cindy Guidry Santangelo; and grandchildren, Kip Santangelo and wife Chanda, Tracy K. Santangelo, Matt Santangelo and wife Cristie, Kristen Mikel Santangelo, Keith Santangelo and wife Dina, Micah Santangelo, Shauntel Mathews Parker and husband Russell, Kelly Ayo and Thomas Mathews; great-grandchildren, Trevor Ball, Kamie Parker, Kaylee Parker, Madison Steinert, Emma Ayo and Sydni Santangelo; beloved friend, Nell Pepiton; brothers, Joe Santangelo and wife Elayne, J.C. Santangelo and wife Sandra, Russell Santangelo and wife Cecilia, Larry Santangelo and wife Tammy; brother-in-law, Bobbie Calandro; sister-in-law, Regina Santangelo; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by brother and sisters, Tony Santangelo, Sena Santangelo, Mary Santangelo Shelton and husband Homer Shelton and Lena Santangelo Calandro; and his stepmother, Ida Santangelo.