I ONLY KNEW KELLEY A SHORT TIME, BUT IT SEEMED LIKE FOREVER. WE HAD A GREAT CONNECTION RIGHT AWAY AND SUCH AN EASY TIME OF SHARING WITH EACH OTHER. HE WAS A WONDERFUL FRIEND AND I WILL MISS HIM AND HIS LAUGH. HE HAD SUCH A TALENT AND ONE OF HIS BEST MEMORIES WAS OF WHEN HE WAS IN COLUMBUS WITH BILL. HE WAS SO PROUD AND WE WERE PROUD OF HIM. HE IS WITH THE ANGELS NOW AND THEY WILL WATCH OVER HIM. WE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS ABOUT DEATH AND OUR BELIEFS IN ANGELS. MY HEART GOES OUT TO BILL AND HIS FAMILY, I KNOW THEY WILL MISS HIM BUT WE WERE ALL BETTER FOR KNOWING HIM AND SHARING HIS LIFE. CINDY FREEZE FROM THE PUB (BILL KNOWS) GOD BLESS YOU KELLEY, YOU ARE SAFELY HOME.

 

 

July 21 - 06 My Darling Loving Son - Kelley you will always be in my heart. I love you so much and would have liked to visit you more but my thoughts and love has always been there. You have been such a great Son and entertained everyone of us with your humor and jokes. Always the life of the crowd, you gave us all a lot of laughs. God is waiting with open arms and he will keep you from all pain now. I love you. We will always be there for Billy. If not for him I think we would have lost you long ago. He is a great guy! We had some good times and I always will remember you for your love and consideration. I love you so much. Always, your Mom

 

 

Kelley, We will love and miss you forever. I'll never forget all the fun we've had and crazy things we've done together. Like spending my wedding night at the B&K Root Beer stand. You were more than a brother-in law to me, you were the brother I never had. We love you,

Debbie Denny & Family

I am so fortunate to have had such a special bond with my brother Kelley. So many people do not ever know the kind of love we have shared all of our lives. I feel so broken and sad to let him go. I will rely on my family and friends for support. I am blessed with so many loving people around me, I love and need all of you. Remember the fun and good times Kelley has given to us. I will miss my brother, my friend. --Lori
We extend our deepest sympathy to you upon the passing of Kelley. May memories offer confort and may his caring spirit always by with you. Sincerely, Vince & Dorothy Peterson

 

Picture Contributors
Lori Miskar
   Bill Davison
Dennis Vannatter
   Sharon Cummons
David Schmidt
  Ron Round
     
     
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kelly will always hold a special place in my heart. I practically lived at the Vannatter's from the time I became best friends with his sister Lori in 7th grade until she got married and moved away. He was such a big part of my life. I can only smile when I think of all the good times we had together. I'll cherish so many memories like him teaching me to drive a stick shift in his Volkswagon Bug or just hanging out watching him build his cardboard cities. My deepest sympathy to the entire family who will always mean so much to me. Sincerely, Terry Wilson

From: David Schmidt

Kelley was 18 years and 4 days old when we met on Valentine’s Day, 1974. There was something about him that struck me from the beginning. It was his creativity, his eye for the unusual, his spontaneity, his love of life and everything in it. These were qualities that I lacked. In the years that I knew him he was a great teacher. He taught by example…by sharing his visions, his dreams, and ambitions. There is a building here in St Petersburg of which the original model was built out of cigarette cartons glued to a piece of cardboard - and kept underneath the bed during construction. I think of Kelley and smile every time I drive past. It will have special meaning now. I am a better person that Kelley was in my life. To this day, I practice many of the lessons he taught me. To those of you that shared his recent years, my heart and prayers go out to you. I know you will always keep him in your hearts. He will always hold a special place in mine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had the honor of Knowing Kelly and Bill through my brother Jeff.Although we did not know Kelly as well as most of his close friends and family.I wanted all to know what a warm,kind and friendly person he was and the lasting Impression he made on the people he touched even briefly.We have had the honor of viewing some of his work,Which is truly Amazing! Kelly truly was an Angel on earth,A gift to all From God .
Love, Jim & Carole Ruble

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kelley was my "baby" brother and I miss him desperately. I am so fortunate to have been with him in his final hours and I will always remember the love in his eyes when he looked into mine and said "I love you". Kelley, you will always be in my heart. You always made sure everyone around you had a great time - you were the "perfect" host and entertainer at any party and a wonderful brother. I know you are no longer in pain and you are with Dad, Andy, our grandmothers and grandfathers and we will be together again. I'll love you always,
Your "big" sister, Sharon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kelly was and is a very special and unigue guy who touched many lives. He will be missed by me very much Ron

 

 

Joyce Barrett:

when I walk out back and look at my fence, I remember that Kelley painted that fence for me,as I am listening to "a twist of Jobim", which he gave to me....only part of what Kelley gave . He gave what he had, a love of life, a respect of everyone , a pleasure of everyday. I loved him for being just Kelley, and listening to me and bringing joy to life. I love you, Kelley, and thank you for being you. Bill, God bless you Love Joyce

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am very sorry to hear of the loss of Kelly. I felt like I knew Kelly. You see I am a friend of Joyce's. We worked together when she came to Missouri. Joyce was always sharing funny stories with me, and a lot of them included Kelly. What a remarkable person. Life goes on and your wonderful memories is something that will always remain in your hearts. You know he is flying with the angels now and at peace. Celebrate his life, he touched many heart.
Sincerely Mardella Johnston

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the first time we met (Garfield High School 1976), Kelley and I had a connection that span thirty years. He was with me when I met my husband Gary, and was his best man at our wedding. Kelley touched our lives in so many ways. And we are all better people for knowing him. He was our best friend and we will never forget him. Love always,
Nancy and Gary Nonemaker

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KELLEY

What can be said of a soul that’s been freed
When he’ll always be inside my heart
His name is still Kelley, Sweet Brother, Dear Friend
And he captured my love from the start

I need to remember when his soul had a place
In a body with a beautiful face The smile that he shared with anyone who cared
And the way that he lived with such grace

I remember the laughter and the silliness too
And the way he could light up a room
And I’m in awe by the patience he showed in his art
When he created the architecture too

I am also in awe of the strength of this soul

As he traversed a difficult path
And I know that in time, we’ll have strength in kind
And will smile to remember his laugh

My love for always Kel, Kisses from Bev

 

 

Uncle Kelley, I can't thank you enough for all you have taught me and all of the great times we hgave had together. You've taought me alot about life, love, laughter and of course, liquor! I truly feel you have helped me become the person I am today. You and Billy have both been there to offer support and help me sort things out during rough patches in my life. There are so many things I will miss about you Uncle Kelley- Your outlook on life, your outrageous stories and espescially your voice. I will always be comforted when I think of the time we have spent together.
Love Always, Your Niece, Nicole

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We all lost a part of ourselves when Kelley departed this life. How blessed I am to have the privilege of meeting, knowing, and loving Kelley. The watering he brought to me will never leave me. He has taught me how to love stained glass, antiques, art, architecture and history. He has shown me how fantastic simple things can be. He floored me with his creativity and gave me hopes and dreams of an unhurried life. He told and taught me to stop and smell that one special flower. He even taught me how make Alfredo Sauce. He showed me how the early morning sun off the dew laden grass refreshes the soul and rowing a boat across a pond is a time of peace. He showed me how a fabulous work of art can be made out of anything. He showed me that a piece of shaded ground on a hot summer day can make the summer and that a Bloody Mary in the morning was a celebration of sorts. He showed me how great it is to meet and know all people regardless of their age and how much love and knowledge you could receive from them. Bill, you and Kelley both showed me the love of cats and how perfect they can be. He showed me how buildings were built and the meaning and purpose of each and every brick. He taught me how to say please, yes, thank you and no. He helped teach me how to decorate for Christmas and how lighting one pine tree near a pond was more glorious than the mansions nearby. He surprised me when he said he liked venison and how early he was out shopping for flowers. He shaped me by example. His wit I've met none like it. He gave me love, light, and laughter. He introduced me to more people than most people have and all who knew him are drawn to him the same way I am. He taught me courage, perseverance, and dedication. He did all these things and so much more for everyone who has spent any time with him at all. He is so much of who I am because he loved me. I will never forget him and will remember him every time the sun comes up in the morning. His spirit will live with me forever. I only pray I could be the same way. Thanks Kelley I love you. My heart goes out to Kelley's family especially Bill and Kelley"s mom and also to all those who know and love him. Todd
My heart is breaking for Bill, Kelley's Mom, his brothers and sisters, and all of Kelley's beautiful friends I've had the fantastic pleasure of meeting because of him, my deepest prayers and thoughts are with you. It took me a while to "get here." Being "here" makes this all too real for me and somewhat selfishly my heart breaks for me. Kelley…gosh, you were a rock of strength and courage for me. It only took being in your presence, you did not have to say a word. But, when you did, that is when the FUN began! So many memories, which can never be duplicated. Remember the time you said: "Let's go up on the sun porch for when Billy gets home. I said: "You don't have a sun porch," and within minutes you coaxed me up onto the roof of the log shed, lawn chairs in hand, where we sat with the sun shining through the trees. Just one of the treasured stops you've taken me to in "our" journey as friends. When Billy got home you said in that devious voice, with finger on lips, "Sshh, let's see how long it takes'im to find us." Of course it didn't take long. Why with your laugh: eh, eh, eh, eh and my laugh, well I think everyone knows how I laugh. There's Bill looking up at us: "You two.." And Kelley's response: "You, You." Laugh, did we laugh! Aahhh Kelley, to call you my friend is an understatement…a pillar and confidante, nothing less. Thank you for giving hope, sharing dreams and most of all the laughter. So much laughter! I love you and miss you a heck of a lot and will miss you for a very, very, very, long time. But the neat thing is, I hear you every day. I know you will help keep all the decoration in the most artistic shape "up there." Just remember, if there is anything you think is throwing off the "ying" and the "yang"….gasoline and a match work just fine. Forever with Love, Forever Friends Jeff Ruble

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I really never had the pleasure of formally meeting Kelley, but I have heard so many good things about him and talked to him on the phone on occasion. I worked with Bill at Roth Bros, until recently. I just wanted to express my sympathy to Bill and the rest of the family. I am sure he is in good hands now. My deepest sympathy and god bless. Julie Sharfal

 

The Party