Paul Kelley

A Celebration of Life for Paul Kelley of Afton will be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, at Taylor Park in Creston. Please come and share your memories. We will be honored with Irish bagpipe music between 2 and 2:30.

Due to many people with compromised health issues, it is asked that you please wear a mask.

Paul Robert Kelley was born Oct. 13, 1931, son of Cletus George Kelley and Zelphia Ellen Billingsley Kelley of Creston. Paul married Patty Lee Foster Dec. 10, 1949, in Mt. Ayr.  The two had three children: Kevin Eugene, Shaun Michael, and Brian Paul, all born in Creston.

Paul and Patty divorced after 37 years of marriage. Paul later married Rebecca (Becky) Sandeman Spare Aug. 19, 1994. Paul was a graduate of Iowa State University and earned his degree in Animal Husbandry and Horticulture.

Paul hired out on the CB & Q Railroad Oct. 16, 1953, as a brakeman. Paul was promoted to conductor on Sept. 1, 1961. During his years on the railroad, Paul was acquiring land and farming. Paul retired from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad in 1996.

In 1998, Paul and Becky started Sylvanus Farms Lodging, which includes the Bunkhouse, Loft, Lodge and the Calico Cat Barn.

Those left to mourn Paul’s passing are his wife, Becky Sandeman Kelley; his brother, Michael Kelley, Kearney, NE; his children: Kevin (wife Jean Marie) Kelley, Afton; Shaun (wife Cindy) Kelley, Afton; Brian (wife Pam) Kelley, Liberty, MO; stepson Michael Spare; step-daughter Jeanna (husband Scott) McKinney, Afton; eight grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Cletus and Zelphia Kelley; sister JoAnn (Kelley) Shanahan; brother-in-law Clark Shanahan; his first wife, Patty Kelley; grandson, Aiden Kelley and grandson-in-law Steven Pettit.