Obituary of Mike Kelly

G. Michael Kelly, age 86, of Anita, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at the Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, Iowa, with his beloved wife, Corky, by his side.

Mike was born on April 4, 1939, in Anita, Iowa, the son of Paul and Birdie A. (Kirkham) Kelly. He attended Anita Community Schools.

On March 10, 1957, Mike was united in marriage to Cora “Corky” Scarlett, daughter of Freddie and Iva Mae (Heckman) Scarlett, in Atlantic, Iowa. Their love and partnership spanned 68 years.

Mike had a lifelong passion for cars, following in his father’s footsteps as a fixer and trader. He took pride in tuning vehicles to run better and faster. He worked as a petroleum truck driver in his early years before moving to West Liberty, Iowa, in 1967, where he was employed at S/M Service Company. He spent over 35 years as a fuel specialist, retiring in 1994.

Outside of work, Mike enjoyed camping, fishing, and hosting cookouts. He cherished time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren, and took pride in their accomplishments. In retirement, he and Corky spent many winters in Texas, making memories and enjoying the warmth.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Becky Kelly; brothers, Alan, Donald, John, and Bob Kelly; sisters, Mary Jorgensen and Jan Eiben; and in-laws, Fred and Iva Scarlett.

Mike is survived by his wife, Corky Kelly of Anita; his children: Donald (Tracey Achenbach) of Bolingbrook, IL; Blaine (Jodi) Kelly of West Liberty, IA; Todd (Karen) Kelly of Iowa City, IA; John Kelly of West Liberty, IA; and Cindy (Barry) Mills of West Liberty, IA; his brother, David Kelly of Atlantic, IA; sisters, Cathleen Griffith of Atlantic, IA, and Colleen Nichols of Moscow, IA; ten grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 16, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in West Liberty, with visitation one hour prior. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, and a luncheon will be held at St. Joseph Parish Hall.

For friends and family in the Anita area, visitation with the family present will be held on Thursday, May 8, 2025, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Anita (2005 White Pole Road).

Memorials may be directed to Myrtue Hospice or the Alzheimer's Association and may be left or mailed to Schmidt Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA.