J. M. Kelsey

OBITUARY J. M. KELSEY Mr. J. M. Kelsey age 81 of Bolivar, passed away at 11:56 A.M. on Friday, December 8, 2006 at the Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar after a brief illness. He was born on September 3, 1925 in Bolivar, MO the son of John M. Kelsey and Alice Lorene Hargis Kelsey. He was a graduate of Bolivar High School and played ball all during school and on independent teams after graduation. J. M. was a U. S. Navy Veteran of W.W.II serving in a pilot training program in the University of the South Sewanee, TN. It was a combined Math and Pilot Training program. After a plane crash he spent 8 months in the hospital in Memphis. He was a member of the First Christian Church in Bolivar, and the Elks Lodge in Bolivar, In his early days, he taught/coached little league baseball, was a college baseball player, and was a volunteer with the Bolivar Volunteer Fire Department. He continued helping his father in the family business of making Kelsey's Bologna for years and years. J. M. was an avid sportsman and "master" fly-fisherman and loved to teach others the sport, especially his son Jim, grandsons and step-sons. He loved his fly-fishing buddies who continued to take him even after his legs gave out and he had to sit in a chair on the side of the spring. He loved cars, especially convertibles. He was a retired U.S. Postal Worker, rural routes, including Route 2, Route 3 and Polk. He continued to play cards and keep his "mind sharp" by getting out of the house even after severe pain made other activities impossible. J. M. loved to travel and to see the world, especially loving their home in South Fork, Colorado. His family thanks his many friends and neighbors who continued to help him by mowing his yard (Tony Payne) and helping him get to and from his favorite places. His family also thanks his loving wife Wanda, who enriched his life to no end and loved him dearly enabling him to continue to thrive, long past his best days. Her love and support of him showed in everything she did for him. She brought him to church and gave him religion and true belief in his future home. He was loved and will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him. Surviving is his wife Wanda of the home, a son Jim Kelsey, wife Megan and their son Jonah; Twin daughters, Lynda Collins and her daughter Kim Collins and Synda Douglas, husband Kerry and their sons, Tom Douglas, wife Michele their daughters and son, Kaitlyn, Ali, and Tyler; Pat Douglas, wife Gelin and their daughter and son, Josie and Cy; two step-sons, Gary Short and wife Carolyn and their daughters, Ashley Hensley, husband Lonnie and their son Chase; Lindsay Short; Roger Short and wife Debra and their daughters, Abby Ingles, husband Darin and Rachael Bacon, husband Brian. Mr. Kelsey had requested no funeral, memorial or visitation services. Arrangements were under the direction of the Butler Funeral Home of Bolivar. Friends may sign the guest book or send private condolences at www.butlerfuneralhome.com We want to thank his many friends who continued to help him daily and weekly and the staff and doctors at CMH who kept him comfortable during his last days with us. PDF Printable Version

J. M. Kelsey

September 3, 1925 - December 8, 2006