Obituary of Ralph Kelley , 85

Ralph W. Kelley, 85, of Bellefonte, passed away on Saturday, March 21, 2015, at Centre Crest. A son of the late John W. and Mary C. (Lohr) Kelley, Ralph was born on July 5, 1929, in Bellefonte. On January 25, 1952, he married the former Ruth L. Stine, who survives in Bellefonte.

Ralph attended Bellefonte Area High School and had worked at Cerro Copper and Brass as a box maker, retiring in 1995. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. For his service he received the World War II Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal Japan. He was a member of the Advent Church, Undine Fire Company and the Civil Air Patrol Search and Rescue, rank of Major, Squardron Commander of Bellefonte Squadron 1301 and Airplane Captain . Ralph had been a Special Deputy Pilot for the Marijuana Eradication Program for CAP in the Centre County Sheriff’s Department.

Along with his wife of 63 years, Ralph is survived by two children; Danny W. Kelley and his wife Vonda of Howard, Cheryl A. Lane and her husband H. Park of Bellefonte, son-in-law Jack Fisher of Bellefonte, brother Terry Kelley and his wife Rickie of Columbiana, OH, and sister Cathy Kelley of Julian, three grandchildren; Jacie Fisher and husband Rodney of Michigan, Kelly Fisher of Harrisburg, Lori Jean and husband Kempes of Maryland, two step grandchildren; David Lucas and wife Yulia and Joshua Lucas and wife Sheena, all of Julian, along with16 great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a daughter, Nancy K. Fisher.

Friends will be received on Friday, April 3, 2015, from 4-5 p.m., with a memorial service at 5 p.m., at Wetzler Funeral Service, Inc., 206 N. Spring St., Bellefonte, PA.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions in Ralph’s memory to the Centre Crest Auxiliary or the Alzheimer Foundation.
Online condolence may be made to the family at www.wetzlerfuneralhome.com.