Funeral services for Gary E. Kelley, Sr., 76, of Silvis, IL, will be 10 am on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at the Van Hoe Funeral Home, East Moline, IL. Entombment will be in St. Mary's Mausoleum, East Moline. Visitation will be held from 4-7 pm on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Gary was born in Harrison, Arkansas, to Gertrude (Roberts) & Kenneth Kelley on October 16, 1946 and left this earthly world on March 31, 2023. His family moved to Iowa when he was very young. Gary loved going back to Arkansas to visit his many relatives there.

He grew up in Rock Island and Coal Valley and graduated from Moline High School in 1964.

Gary served in the US Army and was a proud Vietnam Veteran. He retired from John Deere Parts Distribution Center in Milan in 1996 after 31 years of service. Gary was an Alderman for the City of East Moline during his retirement. He met his sweetheart, Sherry, on a blind date and they have been married for 53 years. Together they had 3 sons Jeffrey (Lisa) Kelley, Orlando FL, Gary Jr. "Beeb" (Stacy) Kelley, Marshalltown IA, and Cory (Keasha) Kelley, East Moline, IL. Gary also has a son Michael from a previous marriage who also lives in Florida.

He was proud to show off his 1972 Pontiac Lemans that he bought brand new and kept his entire life. He also had great interest in slot cars and has a large collection of them. Gary never met a stranger. He loved to talk. He also loved telling jokes and in his day would share one with you each time he saw you (even if you already heard that one). He was an avid reader and had a great memory of movies, actors and music. His proudest moments were spent with his loving family who will miss him dearly.

He was preceded in death by parents, and sisters, Carolyn "Sue" Neal and Melba Crampton.

He is survived by his wife Sherry; sons, Jeff (Lisa), Beeb (Stacy) and Cory (Keasha); his grandchildren, Dalton (Ashley), Blake (Celsey), Reid, Jack, Brody & Kody; and a great granddaughter, Marleigh.

He is also survived by his only remaining sibling, Brenda (Milton) DeShane, Moline, IL, and several nieces & nephews.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.vanhoe.com