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James "Jim" Kelly

January 25, 1951 ~ September 3, 2026

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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 12th, 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.

Services

Visitation: Saturday, September 12, 2026
9:00 am - 10:15 am

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
212 7th Street SE
Mount Vernon, IA 52314
319-895-6246

Add to My Calendar America/Chicago 2026-09-12 09:00:00 2026-09-12 10:15:00 James"Jim"KellyVisitation Visitation 212 7th Street SE,Mount Vernon, IA 52314

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Funeral Mass: Saturday, September 12, 2026
10:30 am - 11:30 am

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
212 7th Street SE
Mount Vernon, IA 52314
319-895-6246

Add to My Calendar America/Chicago 2026-09-12 10:30:00 2026-09-12 11:30:00 James"Jim"KellyFuneral Mass Funeral Mass 212 7th Street SE,Mount Vernon, IA 52314

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  3. I’ve known Jim my whole life and never had an interaction that wasn’t positive. Such a nice guy! So sorry for your loss.

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  4. Sara, Jay and I knew Jim on a professional basis. The best way I can describe him was that Jim was always humble, friendly, optimistic and ready to engage with strangers. He was very intelligent. It was also obvious Jim had that military training that brought forth discipline and perfection. He was a truly wonderful person and we will miss him. Our sincere condolences to Jim’s family.

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  6. Jeff and I thought the world of Jim and offer our love and condolences to Caroline and family. Rest easy, Jim. Hope there is a glass of bourbon waiting for you❤️

    Jeff and Nancy Roland

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  7. Caroline and the Kelly clan,
    So sad to realize our Jim is gone….but never forgotten. Jim was bigger than life in so many ways, and always ready and willing to help anyone. I will always remember the Christmas Eve snow ball fight in your front yard on Hillcrest.
    I hope you’ll remember that death is the end of a lifetime, not the end of a relationship. Jim will continue to be with you, and will continue to influence your lives, forever.
    We’ll be out of town this weekend, but please know our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
    Brad

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  8. Sending the entire Kelly family a giant hug. Jim was such a valued man to so many. Loved his sense of humor and that he put up with me as Caroline’s partner in crime.
    “The depth of your grief is a reflection of the depth of your love”
    Love to you all, Angie Heuton

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  10. Thank you Jim, for all the laughs at PoolTech. We will miss you buddy.
    To Caroline and the rest of your family, I am deeply sorry for your loss.
    Jim will never be forgotten.

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  12. Mike Freeman here a former neighbor of the Kelly clan Jim was a very nice neighbor someone that kept the neighborhood in order as far as laughs were concerned he was very enjoyable to be around. I do remember one night Paul and I and Steve Kelly and maybe someone else were sleeping in the TP and Jim and Jack Davis were throwing M 80s around the TP and scaring the wits out of us and he and Jack we’re outside, laughing their heads off

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