John Francis Kelly

John Francis Kelly, 75, of Drums, passed away Friday, March 15, 2019 at his home in Drums, following a lengthy illness.

Born in Hazleton, November 3, 1943, he was the son of the late Mark and Elizabeth (Heaney) Kelly and had spent the past 53 years in Drums, after moving from Hazleton.

John was a Welder for Jeddo Highland Coal Company for 35 years and was a part-time flagger at Evergreen Raceway, St. John’s. He was a US Army veteran from 1961 - 1964 and was a member of St. John Bosco RC Church, Sugarloaf. John enjoyed hunting, fishing, racing stock cars, drawing, airbrushing, taxidermy, model airplanes, building, repairing and riding motorcycles and was very well versed in stone crushing.  He also enjoyed meeting his friends at Sheetz for coffee each morning.

Surviving are his loving wife, the former (Mary) Carolyn Astorino to whom he was married for 53 years; three sons, John P. (Butch) Kelly and his wife Cheryl, Drums; William Kelly and his wife Darla, Galesburg, IL; and Scott Kelly, Drums; 8 grandchildren, John Williams, Ian Kelly, Katelyn Farley, and Eric Kelly, Zachary and Cameron Kelly, Madalyne and Victoria Kelly; brother, Francis Kelly and his wife Irene, Plains; sister, Sarah Marston, Carlisle; brother, Mark Kelly and his wife Annmarie, Tresckow; and brother Larry Kelly and his companion Alice Michael, Beaver Meadows; several nieces and nephews also survive.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, March 19th from Harman Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc. (East), 669 W. Butler Drive, Drums at 8:00 PM. Friends may call at the funeral home from 6:00 PM- 8:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hazle Twp. Rec Authority, PO Box 506, Harleigh, PA 18225. Online condolences can be entered and more information is available at www.harmanfuneral.com

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