Joseph Lyle “Tony” Kelly, 85, of Owensboro, passed away Thursday, January 23, 2025 at Riverside Care and Rehabilitation in Calhoun. He was born July 18, 1939 in Stanley to the late Lyle and Louise Mulligan Kelly. Tony worked as a concrete finisher and was a decorated firefighter at Stanley Fire Department for 50 years. He was an avid gardener and fisherman, teaching all the grandkids to fish. He also loved camping. Tony was a member of Apollo Heights Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Billy Kelly; and a sister, Betty Lott.
He is survived by his wife 66 years, Janet Kelly; two daughters, Janet “Dianne” Schaeffer (Jimmy) and Cindy Dossett (Terry); grandchildren, Jayme Ballard (Joe), Jacob Coomes (Amanda), Jackie Ball, Brooke Schaeffer (Mark), and Jessi Sullivan (Kris); great-grandchildren, Joseph, Clara, Leigha, Trevor, Wyatt, Sawyer, Lanie, Destinee (Dejuan Alexander), Logan, Andre Reed, Oakley, Kash, Alaina, Lyle; bonus great-grandchild, Marlee; one great-great-grandchild, Arkaiah Alexander; sister, Judy Croslin; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 27, 2025 at James H. Davis Funeral Home and Crematory with Rev. Jerry Carter officiating. The service will be live-streamed at www.davisfuneralhome.com. Burial will follow in Scherer Cemetery, Stanley. Visitation is from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday and from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. on Monday at the funeral home.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to Stanley Fire Department, 159 KY Highway 1554, Owensboro, KY 42301.
The family would like to give a special thanks to Riverside Manor for their care of Papaw Tony.