Kent H. Kelley, 77, of Galesburg, died at 7:40 a.m. Saturday, October 31, 2026, in the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy.
He was born February 26, 1949, in Quincy, the son of Stanley Ellis and Edith Maxine (Riley) Kelley. He married Janice L. “Jenny” Rokita on June 30, 1990, in Quincy.
He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Jenny; a son, Robert (fiancé Kendra Brown) Reckers of Champaign; a step daughter, Amanda (Luke) Sperry of Alexis; a step son, Kyle (Emily) Moore of Quincy; three grandchildren, Kaylan Sperry of Champaign, Karragan Sperry of Champaign, and Koen Sperry of Alexis; a brother-in-law, Robert (Barbara) Rokita of Lancaster, California; sisters-in-law, Marynelle Kellum of Quincy, Shelley Fenton of Quincy, Rita Rokita of Sebring, Florida, and Cathie Rokita of Shelbyville, Michigan; and a niece, Bobbie (Kyle) Cookson of Manhattan, Kansas. He was preceded in death by a son, Brian Reckers; his father, Stanley Kelley; his mother, Maxine Humphrey; his step mother, Kathleen Kelley; a brother, Robert Kelley; and brothers-in-law, Mike Rokita and Rick Rokita.
Kent worked in sales, service, and management in the tire industry for his entire career. He had worked for B.F. Goodrich and Ron’s Tire in Quincy before becoming a district sales representative for Community Tire based out of St. Louis. He worked for KarMark Tire in Galesburg as assistant manager from 2002 until retiring in 2023.
Kent was raised and educated in Quincy, where he graduated from high school in 1968. He had lived in Galesburg since 1991. He was of Christian faith and had attended Trinity Lutheran Church in Galesburg, where he enjoyed his time as a Sunday school teacher. He later attended Community Bible Church in Knoxville.
When not working, Kent enjoyed working in his yard and was an avid bowler. He was a member of the Elks Lodge. He was a sports fan of the Chicago Cubs and Bears and the Fighting Illini.
He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, where he experienced front line combat.
Cremation will be accorded. Visitation will be 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday, November 8, 2026, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral and Cremation Services of Galesburg. Memorial service with Military Honors will follow at 2 p.m. at the chapel. Doug Johnson will officiate. After the memorial service, a continued celebration of Kent’s life will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Elks Lodge. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, Illinois Veterans Home, or Blessing Hospice. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.h-p-w.com.
