Eleanor M. Kelly

Eleanor M. Kelly passed away from this life at 1:10 a.m. Friday, July 6, at Westminster Village where she resided. She was born on April 12, 1920, to Michael and Antoinette Kiermas. Mrs. Kelly lived in Wisconsin as a young child and eventually moved to Chicago. She graduated from The Bryant School of Business in Chicago, where she worked with drawing and specifications for the artillery division: specifically for the war department. Mrs. Kelly married Joseph R. Kelly on April 3, 1948. The couple resided in Lafayette where they had one child, Janet, currently living in Indianapolis. Together, Joe and Eleanor began a general contracting company, J.R. Kelly Company, in 1975. Eleanor continued her career at J.R. Kelly as the secretary-treasurer from 1975 through 1989, and was on the Board of Directors through 1996. Her husband Joe preceded her in death in the fall of 1996. She was also preceded in death by three brothers. Surviving are several nieces and nephews. Eleanor enjoyed her social life, playing golf and bridge and traveling with family to Ireland, Italy and France. Eleanor was best known for her taste in fashion: always noted for her polished appearance. Eleanor was a member of Church of the Blessed Sacrament, the BPO Elks Organization and the Psi Iota Psi Sorority. Anyone wishing to make a contribution in Eleanor?s memory may do so through the Church of the Blessed Sacrament or the Lafayette Catholic Schools.
Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. Tuesday, July 10, at Church of the Blessed Sacrament. Mass at 11 a.m., Church of the Blessed Sacrament, Fr. David Buckles officiating. Entombment will take place at Tippecanoe Memory Gardens. Send online condolences to www.