Obituaries : Richard “Sarge” Kelty

VINTON:      Richard “Sarge” Kelty, 78, died Thursday, April 16, 2015 at University Of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City following a brief illness.

     A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Urbana with Father Ardel Barta as Celebrant.  Interment will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Urbana with Graveside Military Rites conducted by Walter J. Meyocks American Legion Post #264 of Urbana and Iowa Military Funeral Honors.   Visitation will be held at the church from 3 to 7 p.m., on Monday where a Vigil Service will begin at 7 p.m..    A Memorial Fund has been established for the Walter J. Meyocks American Legion Post #264 of Urbana.

     Richard was born August 17, 1936 in Vinton to Howard and Dixie (Wilford) Kelty and graduated from the Urbana High School in 1954.

     On June 28, 1955, he was united in marriage to Rita Zieser at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Urbana.  She preceded him in death on January 21, 2011.

     He retired from the U.S. Army in 1982 at the rank of Sergeant 1st Class after serving his nation for twenty years.  After returning to Urbana he founded the K & K Popcorn business.

     Richard was a long time member of the Walter J. Meyocks American Legion Post #264 serving as Post and County Commander.  He was also a member of the Urbana Lions Club and St. Mary’s Catholic Church.  Richard was a true patriot, an avid fisherman and an enthusiastic follower of the St. Louis Cardinals.    

     He is survived by his children, Mark (Linda) Kelty of Vinton, David (Donna) Kelty of Walker, Brett (Loraine) Kelty of Vinton, Shannon (Karie) Kelty of Vinton, Lori (Lonnie) Williams of Urbana, and Sean Kelty of Center Point; his grandchildren, Nick, Matt, Lauren, Megan, Brandon, Jesse, Lindsay, Sydney, Jacob, Madison, and McKenna Kelty, Jama Kniffen, Carly Greenfield, Spenser, Dillon, Whitney and Reilly Williams, and his great-grandchildren, Kaleb, Chloe and Kinnick Kelty, and Kenadi and Nile Kniffen.

     In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by an infant brother.

     Phillips Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements and condolences may be left at:  www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com