Carlisle Kelly Obituary (1954

Carlisle E. Kelly, Jr., 71, of LeRoy passed away Monday April 21, 2025 at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington, IL. Cremation rites have been accorded. There will be no services. Memorial donations may be made to Pheasants Forever, 120 Lakeview Dr. Morton, IL, 61550. Carlisle was born March 22, 1954 in Bloomington, IL, a son of Carlisle E. and June E. (Simpson) Kelly, Sr. He married Deanna Clark January 7, 1982 in Las Vegas, NV. She survives. Carlisle is also survived by a daughter, Jill (Jason) Carr, El Paso; a son, Thomas Kelly, Ellsworth; and eight grandchildren, Reuben, Caleb, Caroline, David, Lauren, Olivia, Rachel, and Ethan Carr. He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters Ellen, Elise, Evonne, and Elaine, and one granddaughter Faith Carr. Carlisle could best be described as a Hurricane of a Man. He was a proud graduate of Illinois State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history. Throughout the rest of his life he continued to absorb historical knowledge, with a special emphasis on World War II. He started working for the railroad in 1972. He worked as a conductor for GM & O, IL Central Gulf, Canadian National, and Amtrak. When he wasn’t working for the railroad, he was tending to his many animals including cattle, chickens, pigeons, and bees or working on the family farm in Clinton, IL with his wife. Carlisle’s farm was his pride and joy where he planted thousands of trees with his children and grandchildren. He was a big outdoorsman and wildlife habitat supporter. He loved to hunt rabbits and raccoons with his hound dogs, go wheeling and dealing at flea markets, and spend time with his grandchildren. Carlisle was more than just an outdoorsman and hard worker. He had a heart of gold and mentored many local children throughout the community. He would give them work to do and buy them their first vehicle in hopes of teaching discipline through hard work. Some of these included his nephew and nieces, Dale Clark, Kelli Morgan, and Kasey Laminack, who he took into his home.