James "Jim" Kelly

James Christopher Kelly January 25, 1951- September 3, 2026

James Christopher (Jim) Kelly, 75, passed away peacefully at his home after a long battle with Cancer in Mount Vernon, Iowa, Thursday September 3, 2026.

Born in Peoria, Illinois to Mary and Joseph Kelly, the third of nine children. Jim attended Bergan High School where he received All-State Honors in Football and Track.

He attended the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, where in 1969, he met the love of his life, Caroline (Locher) Kelly. They married in 1973.

Jim joined the US Army in 1972, and he remained in the US Army Reserves for over 20 years.

Jim was accomplished in many industries and worked as a longtime consultant in construction, business acquisition, and receivership.

Jim and Caroline moved down to San Antonio, Texas in 1981 where they resided for 16 years. In 1997 they moved up to Cedar Rapids, Iowa and then to Mount Vernon, Iowa in 2015.

Jim will truly be missed. Those who knew him knew what it was to experience a person not simply alive, but living with spirit and exuberance. To hear his whistle, see him sing at weddings, parties- anything with a microphone and a speaker. Seeing him dance with Caroline, with his children, family and friends was to see someone dancing with unadulterated joy. He never left a party without giving everyone a hug and a kiss. His love was enormous, and his life was full with family and friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Joseph. Survived by his wife, Caroline; and their five children, Laura, James and Adriana, Bart and Catherine, Daniel, Robert and Jody; and grandchildren, Yul Juaquin, Graciela, James, Anna Lucia, Moira, George, Brigid, Aoife, Deirdre, Simon, Orlaith, Maxwell, and Cecilia; as well as his brothers, sisters and their spouses: Pat and Bea, John and Amy, Liz and Jack, Ann and Steve, Paul, Jane and Jim, Margaret, Matt and Cecilia.

Services will be held Saturday September 12^th, 2026, at:

St. John’s Catholic Church

212 7th St SE, Mt Vernon, IA 52314

Visitation: 9:00 AM -10:15 AM

Mass: 10:30-11:30 AM

There will be a church luncheon for all from 11:45-12:45 PM

Followed by a gathering of family and close friends at the Kelly house.