Gale Lee Kelley

Gale Lee Kelley, 78, of Grafton, Ohio, loving husband, father of two, and dear friend of many, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, August 11, 2020. Mr. Kelley was born on August 26, 1941 in Granite City, Illinois, son of the late Arthur Kelley and Maxine (Harvell) and step-father Rufus Schroff. He graduated in 1960 from Granite City High School in Granite City, Illinois. As a young man, he relocated to Strongsville, Ohio where he met and eventually married Dorothy Kelley, née Terry.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by son Daniel Kelley and brother Gary Kelley. He is survived by his beloved wife Dorothy, with whom he would have celebrated his 55th wedding anniversary this month. He is survived by his son Michael Kelley, daughter Michelle Kelley, devoted fur babies Khloe and Bo and he was "Gampa" to grand fur kitty Maya.

Also surviving Mr. Kelley is his brother Keith Kelley (Dee), sister Kim (Dennis) Worcester, sister-in-law Charlene Kelley and loving father figure to Terri Bitsie, Cathy Kelley, Joey Hampton, and Ryan (Christie) Kelley and to several nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews, extended family in Illinois and Missouri and many close friends.

Mr. Kelley worked at many companies over the years and retired from Westlake Tool and Die after many years of dedicated service. His greatest work accomplishment was being promoted to General Foreman and setting up a tool and die shop for Eaton Corporation in 1983 in New Jersey. He was a former member of the Elyria Moose Lodge and the National Rifle Association. In his lifetime, Gale enjoyed many interests and hobbies, from high school track to car racing in his youth, motorcycles as a young father, plus fishing, hunting and firearms throughout the decades. No question, his favorite hobby was his love of guns and going to turkey shoots. He was a gunsmith and easily made many friends enjoying what he loved to do best. One of his greatest fulfilled wishes was a hunting trip to Montana where he experienced the beauty of the Rocky Mountains. Upon retirement Gale and his wife travelled throughout the Great Plains, Rocky Mountain region and visited the Navajo Nation homeland of his wife Dorothy, her siblings and extended relatives.

Duke Funeral Home in Grafton, Ohio is handling cremation. In consideration of the Covid-19 public health crisis, the surviving family has decided to not hold a formal funeral service. In his honor, a Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date for friends and family.

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