Eugene M. Kelly, Jr.

Eugene was born on March 1, 1933 in Chicago, the son of Eugene M. and Margaret Trester Kelly. He married Virginia Van Overberghe in South Bend, Indiana in 1956. He graduated from high school in Bartlesville, OK and then graduated from the University of Notre Dame. He also received a Masters Degree from Sangamon State University (now the University of Illinois-Springfield) and he was a U.S. Army Veteran. Eugene has been a member of the Springfield community since 1962. He was a teacher for the Springfield School District #186 for twenty-nine years, retiring in 1994. In 1989 he was a finalist for the Horace Mann Educator of the Year award. Prior to his long career in education, he worked for ten years as a sales representative for the Phillips Petroleum Company. He was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church. Eugene was also an active member of the Notre Dame Club of Central Illinois. Eugene coached football and track at Lanphier High School and while he was teaching at Grant Middle School he coached the track team. He also coached football, baseball, and volleyball on a volunteer basis. He enjoyed traveling and working with computers. Eugene was a supportive and hardworking husband and father, who will be remembered by all of those whose lives he touched. He was preceded in death by his father. He is survived by his wife:Virginia Kelly of Springfield; two sons: Brian and Kevin Kelly both of Springfield; one daughter: Eileen (husband, Richard) Orban of Zionsville, IN; three grandchildren: Emma Kelly of Springfield; Kelly and Kara Orban, both of Zionsville, IN; his mother: Margaret Kelly of Springfield; one sister: Kathleen Brezette of Fort Wayne, IN and several nieces and nephews. Family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 12, 2006 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Visitation will begin with a Prayer Service at 4:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 245 N. Amos Ave., Springfield, with Rev. Robert J. Jallas, celebrant. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the organization of the donor’s choice. The family of Eugene M. Kelly, Jr. is being served by Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. Springfield.