Wendell Kelley

A funeral service will be held 10:00 AM Saturday, November 1, 2008 at Sunnyside Road Church of Christ. Visitation will be 5 7 PM Friday, October 31, 2008 at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur. Burial will be at East Lawn Cemetery, Urbana, IL.Mr. Kelley was born May 2, 1926 in Urbana, Illinois, the son of Dr. and Mrs. Victor (Zoe) Kelley. His father, Victor, was a professor at the University of Illinois School of Agriculture for 36 years before his death in 1957. His mother, Zoe, a homemaker, died in 1952. One of five children, Mr. Kelley was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Paul, Max, Emmett (Doc), and Pearl.Mr. Kelley attended Urbana High School where he was quarterback and backfield utility man on the football team and guard on the basketball team. His former coach at Urbana High remembers him as one of the finest boys ever. He was an excellent student and an excellent athlete who worked hard, trained hard and took a more serious approach to sports activities and his studies than did some of his gang.Following his graduation in 1944 he enlisted in the Army Air Corp and was sent to Sheppard Field, Wichita Falls, TX for basic training. He fondly remembered when he received furlough to accompany his high school sweetheart, Evelyn V. Kimpel, who had been chosen as queen, to the prom. Later, he was stationed at Altus Air Force Base, Altus, OK and was discharged as a corporal at Truax Field, Madison, WI following the War. In 1946 he entered the University of Illinois School of Engineering and graduated in 1949 with a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering.On June 12, 1947 he and Evelyn Kimpel were married in Urbana, a union that defined his life and lasted until his death. Following graduation, Mr. Kelley went to work for Illinois Power Company as an assistant engineer.In 1961 he was elected vice president of Illinois Power; in 1966 was elected to the Board of Directors and in October of that same year was elected president and CEO of Illinois Power Company. He became Chairman of the Board and CEO in 1976. Mr. Kelley retired from that position in 1991 to devote himself to his family.Mr. Kelley served on numerous professional boards during his career including: President, Illinois State Chamber of Commerce (1973 and 1974); Chairman, National Electric Reliability Council (1978-80); Edison Electric Institute (198091); American Brands, Inc.; Franklin Life Insurance Co.; Magna Group, Inc; Millikin Bank; and Millikin University. Among numerous professional awards, he was named a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers in 1972.Mr. Kelley performed significant charity work and was devoted to continuing education. As President of the Advisory Council for St. Marys Hospital in Decatur (1972-1973), money was raised to construct a new wing. He served on the Board of the Schults-Lewis Childrens Home in Valparaiso, Indiana. As a strong proponent of higher education, several college scholarships were established in his name and in the name of his wife. Mr. Kelley was raised in the church of Christ and lived his life as a true servant of his heavenly Father. Wendell and Evelyn were founding members of East North Street Church of Christ in Decatur in 1948. He served as deacon (1956-1962) and then elder (1962-1995) of the Sunnyside Road Church of Christ in Decatur, IL.Mr. Kelley was a passionate golfer and golf became a common denominator within his family as a result. The father of five sons, Wendell was devoted without reservation to his family. He held the fact that he served as best man in the weddings of three of his sons, in high regard. As a testament to his success as a parent, Mr. Kelley had a faithful following of descendents: sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who gathered for a Kelley Clan reunion that was the highlight of each summer.Beside his wife, Evelyn, Mr. Kelley is survived by his five sons and their wives: Jeff and Marsha, of Stone Mountain, GA; David and Beth of Germantown, TN; Alan and Angie of Eureka, MO; Steve and Susan of Oak Park, IL; and John and Diana of Birmingham, AL; 16 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren.Wendell Kelley will be remembered for his model character, enormous integrity, undying faith and love, mentorship, and commitment to family. His life will continue to serve as an inspiration to his family and friends, and his memory will remain in our hearts. "
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