John Kelley

John Paul Kelley, 87, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff.

John was born on Oct. 3, 1934, to the late Paul and Madge Kelley in Annapolis, Missouri. He married Joetta King on May 22, 1953, in Poplar Bluff and recently celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary.

John was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, where he served on the destroyer, USS Brown. He was awarded a China Service Medal, a National Defense Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal. After the military, John worked at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center as a Boiler Plant Operator and retired after 30 years of service. He also worked as a carpenter. John enjoyed spending time with his family. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved to camp and fish. He also loved to travel with his wife Joetta in their RV. Their sons described them as snowbirds, winters in Texas and Florida. Ah the Life! He will be missed.

John is survived by his wife, Joetta; two sons, Pat (Lana) Kelley of Poplar Bluff and Rick (Jennifer) Kelley of Jonesboro, Arkansas; four grandchildren, Heather (Shaun) Foster of Puxico, Ian (Randi) Kelley of Blue Springs, Missouri, Ryan (Malinda) Kelley of New Orleans and Erin Kelley of Memphis; and four great-grandchildren, Bradley McNew, Kyle McNew, Ben Kelley and Claire Kelley.

Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15, at Willow Ridge Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. in the chapel with Rev. Steve Patterson officiating. Burial with full military honors will be a Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Willow Ridge Funeral and Cremation Services is honored to serve the family of John Paul Kelley. Online condolences may be expressed at www.willowridgefcs.com.