Eleanor J. Kelly, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, passed away peacefully at 12:38 p.m., Thursday, September 17, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at Gieseking Funeral Home, Brownstown with Olen Evans officiating. Burial will follow at Griffith Cemetery, Brownstown. Visitation will be from 5- 7 p.m., Monday, September 21, 2026, at the funeral home and for one hour prior to service time on Tuesday. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, Brownstown.
Eleanor was born Monday, January 8, 1940, to her parents Lloyd and Elta (Gutherie) Deal. On January 21, 1958, she married the love of her life, Joe Kelly. Together, they shared 68 years of marriage filled with love, family, laughter, and countless memories.
Eleanor had a strong and unwavering passion for the Lord. Her faith was an important part of her life, and she attended First Baptist Church in Brownstown.
She enjoyed many things throughout her life, but spending time with her family and reading children’s books to her grandchildren was always among the most important. Eleanor was an avid bowler and participated in a bowling league for many years. Her passion for bowling was passed down to her grandchildren, creating a special tradition that will continue for generations.
She also loved camping, fishing and square dancing. Family members will especially remember the good-natured competition between Eleanor and her husband, Joe, because Eleanor seemed to always catch the bigger fish. Even though Joe always said Eleanor made him take the fish off the hook.
Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Clarence Deal, and her grandson, Nikki Joe Kelly.
She leaves behind her husband of 68 years, Joe Kelly; her children Christy (John) Gesell of Farina, Cindy (Randy) Fechtler of Shiloh, and Stan Kelly of Brownstown; and her beloved grandchildren: Jennifer (JD) Veteto of Altamont, Melisssa Rine of Collinsville, Alecia Fulk of Farina, RJ Fechtler of Shiloh, Ryan (Paige) Gesell of Centralia, Nicholas Kelly (deceased), Carly Kelly of Vandalia, Missy (Feron) Ice of Salem, and Lindsay (Anthony) Lach of Brownstown.
She was also blessed with 24 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren, all who brought immense joy and love into her life, she loved all the babies.
To her family, she was more than a wife, mother, and grandmother. She was affectionately known as Mamaw, and filled with love, comfort, and countless cherished memories.
Eleanor’s family will miss her dearly. Her love, faith, laughter, and memories she created with each of them will remain in their hearts forever. Though she is deeply missed, her family takes comfort in knowing that her strong legacy of love will live on through the many generations she leaves behind
Online condolences may be expressed at www.giesekingfh.com
