Marilyn A. Kelly

Marilyn A. Kelly, 88, of Kewanee, passed away Tuesday, June 7, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. Marilyn was born December 19, 1933, the daughter of Charles T. and Julia A. (Dragolovich) Knapp. Marilyn graduated from Kewanee High School with the class of 1951. She married James P. Kelly on August 6, 1955; he preceded her in death on March 16, 1977.

Marilyn is survived by one daughter, Colleen (Frank) Zak, Winfield, IL; two granddaughters, Allison and Amy Zak, Wheaton, IL; sister-in-law, MaryAnn Kelly, Bettendorf; niece, Kim (Rick) Miers, Rock Island; and nephew, Mike (Karma) Kelly, Bettendorf. 

Marilyn was especially close to her aunts, Lois Karau and Mildred Dragolovich who preceded her in death. She shared a special bond with cousins, Allen Dragolovich, Diane Dragolovich Ririe, Linda Dragolovich Stuhlsatz, Kathy Dragolovich Nitz and Lois’ children, Dean, Ralph and Gary Karau and Liane Karau O’Keefe. She was also preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother-in-law, Gene Kelly; uncles, Joe, Nick, Louis, George, Elmer and Peter Dragolovich; and aunt, Anne Williams.

Marilyn worked at the Boiler Shop after high school as a key punch operator. She was a member of the Kewanee Greeters and enjoyed meeting the new residents of Kewanee from which she made many life-long friends. She was also a member of the Kewanee Accordion Band and Saint John Paul II Parish. She enjoyed reading, gardening and spending time with family and friends.

Rosary Service will be at 1:30 pm, Sunday, June 12, 2022, at Schueneman-Tumbleson Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 2:00 – 5:00 pm, Sunday, June 12, 2022, at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 9:30 am, Monday, June 13, 2022, at Saint John Paul II Parish. Father Johndamaseni Zilimu will officiate. Burial will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Kewanee Police Department, put in memo, for the ballistic vest fund or the Kewanee Veterans Council. Please leave an online condolence for Marilyn’s family at www.golnickschuenemanfh.com.

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