Biography of Robert James Kelly Submitted by Patricia Kelley, 2007 Robert James Kelly, son of James Bernard and Mary Kinsella Kelly, was born March 17, 1926 in Merna. He graduated Ballard Grade School/and Trinity High School, Bloomington, Illinois in 1943. Bob studied briefly at St. Ambrose College before enlisting in the navy. He joined the United States Navy in WWII and went to Great Lakes, Michigan for radio school training. After his discharge, he took advantage of the G.!. Bill and continued his education, graduating in Economics from the University of Notre Dame in 1948. He combined business interests with farming, forming a partnership with his brother Joseph. In 1999 he and Joseph and Patricia Kelley formed the JPR Kelley Family Farm Partnership. In 1977 he was one of the first people accepted for Financial Instrument Memberships on the Chicago Board of Trade. He remains a member in 2007. Bob was generous with all his brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. But because his youngest sister, Margaret Balducci, was widowed with two small children, he took special interest in their education. Both children received master's degrees-- Joseph Balducci in Library Science and History, and Maria Balducci in piano performance. Bob remained a bachelor most of his life. He lived with his mother in the family home, 23545 E. 1600 N. Road, Normal, Illinois, and continued to live there after her death. He married his brother Joe's widow, Patricia Kelley, April 21, 2001 at St. Patrick of Merna Church, Bloomington, Illinois. They live in the Kelley home at 21441 E. 1600 N. Rd. Normal, Illinois.
