James "Jim" Lyle Kellar

Jim was born at home in LaVallee on August 16, 1936 to Cecil and Mildred (Cutherbertson) Kellar. He was the fourth of 9 children and grew up on the farm in LaVallee until they moved to their farm in Devlin. As a young man he left school to help tend the family farm and worked logging in the winter.

He was united in marriage to Yvonne Veillieux on November 12, 1956 and settled in the village of Devlin where he lived until his passing and where they raised their 5 children.

Jim worked for George Armstrong Co. Ltd., for many years working on roads and bridges including the Noden Causeway and the highways to Atikokan and Dryden, among others, in Northwestern Ontario. Jim became an excellent heavy equipment operator, truck driver and grader operator. Eventually he came to work for the Municipality of LaVallee in 1980 employed as snow plow operator, grader operator and eventually Road Superintendent. He retired from the Municipality in 2002. Retirement saw Jim enjoying his favourite hobbies of farming, gardening, fishing at Perch Lake with the Marchuk crew and with a little bit of travel with Earl, Jean, Irene and Al.

Community and family were very important to Jim. Many years were spent as a member of the Devlin Community Club planning events, fundraising for the Devlin Hall and working with other members and friends on building improvements to this facility as well as the Guthrie United Church. He was also a member of the LaVallee Volunteer Fire Department and coached minor hockey. In retirement Jim was the recipient of the Province of Ontario Senior of the Year Award by the Municipality of Lavallee for recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Community.

Many happy hours were spent with his family camping, fishing, putting up crops with Grandpa Cecil and spending time with his large extended family visiting, celebrating weddings and all of the special family events.

Left to cherish many loving memories are his wife and best friend of 64 years, Yvonne; Children Brian Kellar, Martin (Wendy) Kellar, Donna (Ryan Lennstrom) Shoemaker, Mildred (Gary) Beck, and Brent (Patty) Kellar.

Grandchildren Sara (Anders) Moen, Aaron Kellar, Nathan Shoemaker, Kyle Shoemaker, Leanne (Tyler) Spry, Michelle (Garnet) Cornell, Matthew (Heather) Beck, Shelby and Charlene Kellar;

Great Grandchildren Henry and Waylon Spry, Charlotte Cornell, Hazel Beck, Cheyenne Clink, Step-grand-daughter Teara, Jeycee and Amelia Shoemaker, James Jeffrey (JJ) and Alana Shoemaker;

Sisters: Irene Grennier, Helen Cousineau, Betty (Glenn) Wright, Audrey Whitman, Dorothy Westover, brother Harold (Karen) Kellar, Sisters in law Jean Kellar, Shirley Lauritson, Jean Smith; Brothers in Law, Robert Viellieux, Wayne Viellieux, Lyle and Shirley Smith; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Jim was pre-deceased by his parents Cecil and Mildred Kellar, Step-mother Lillian Kellar; Brothers Earl Kellar, Ken Kellar, George Kellar; Brothers-in-Law, Alan Grennier, Darryl Westover, Jim Whitman, Ray Cousineau, Henry Hatfield, Hal Lauritson, Dick Marchuck; Sisters-in-law Dixie Kellar, Lorna Marchuk, Margaret Hatfield and Roxy Jacklyn; Grandsons, Michael Beck and Jeff Shoemaker.

Due to Covid19, a small family service will be held on Monday, April 26, 2021 with interment at the Devlin Cemetery.

In Memorium Donations may be to the Riverside Foundation for Health Care c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8