Earl F. Kelly
Routsong Funeral Home
Kettering, Ohio
Kelly, Earl F., age 75 of Kettering, died Thursday, September 5, 1996 at
Hospice of Dayton. He was born and raised in Flint, Michigan and graduated
from Flint Northern High School, where he was selected All State basketball
player for 2 consecutive years. Earl earned an athletic scholarship to and
attended Ohio State for 2 years. He was employed by F. R. Lazarus for 19 years
in sales management and during this time played semi-pro basketball. Earl came
to Kettering to work for Imperial House Motels of Ohio and Indiana for the
next 18 years and retired as their president. An avid golfer, “Big Earl” with
the big smile, spent his semi-retirement years with the South-town Elder-
Beerman store. Earl was an active member and former trustee of Fairmont
Presbyterian Church, and thru this wife and children was involved for many
years in school and community volunteer organizations. Earl was preceded in
death by his son, Michael Earl Kelly of Kettering Ohio; and two brothers,
James and Donald of Flint, Mi. Survived by his wife of 53 years, Esther
(Evans); 2 daughters and sons-in-law, Susan Kelly and James Choate, and Jane
and Carlos Aguilar all of Kettering; son, Major Thomas Kelly, U.S. Command
College of Ft. Leavenworth KS; 4 grand children, Megan, Melissa, and Kevin
Aguilar of Kettering and Laura Kelly of Ft. Leavenworth; 3 sisters, Dorothy
Kelly, Marguerite DeRyk, and Ruth and husband George Wernette; 1 brother,
Robert and wife Edie Kelly; in-laws, Betty Kelly, George and Louise Evans, Dr.
Paul and Irveline Evans; numerous nieces and nephews; and many good friends.
Funeral services will be held 10:00 A.M., Monday at Routsong Funeral Home,
2100 E. Stroop Rd. Kettering, Rev. Jamie L. Schultz officiating. Burial
David’s Cemetery. Friends may call from 3-6 P.M., Sunday at the funeral
home. In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to Hospice of Dayton.
Additional Information:
- by Kelly Wernette:
Earl was a great athlete in the Flint area. He was the star of the 1939
Michigan Class A basetball finals leading Flint Northern to a State
Championship. He excelled at Football and Basketball in High School and his
teams were undefeated for the entire time he was in high school. Therefore,
the athlete's of that era are known as the "Wonderboys". He recieved at
Football scholarship to play at Ohio State and Basketball scholarship to play
at Kentucky and had to make a choice. He choose football and Ohio State. His
1939 high school football and basketball team have both been inducted into the
Flint Sports Hall of Fame. Earl was the son of Frank and Stella Kelly of 2526
Lawndale Street in Flint. During the summer between high school and college
Earl traveled across the United States playing exhibition games with a High
School All-American team.
Submitted by: Kelly Wernette, March 2012