Jared J. Kelch

Jared J. Kelch, 26, of Bloomington, passed away at 4:25 a.m. on Sunday, May 27, 2018 in DeWitt County.

His memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington, with Chaplain, Colonel (retired) Robert Guy and Deacon Scott Whitehouse officiating. Military honors will provided immediately following services by the active Marine Corps and the American Legion Honor Guard of Bloomington-Normal. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Cremation rites have been accorded. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to My Loveable Angels or the Til Valhalla Project.

To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.

He was born August 19, 1991 in Normal, son of Samuel R. Jr and Donna J. Marshall Kelch. Jared was a 2010 graduate of Central Catholic High School and proud to have been on the 2009 State Championship Football team. He received his certification in welding and fabricating from Midwest Technical Institute (MTI).

Surviving are his mother, Donna (Jacob) Gunter of Oak Park, his father Sam Kelch of Normal; three sisters, Jessika Kelch of Normal, Kaitlin Kelch of Chicago and Penelope Gunter of Oak Park. Also surviving are his maternal grandparents, Thomas and Jean Marshall and paternal grandmother, Margo Kelch, all of Bloomington; his soul mate and life-long partner, Kayla Perkins, with whom he made his home and his best friend and fur-child, Iggy, whom he rescued; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Samuel Kelch Sr and his "brother," Austin Sherwood.

Jared was a very proud United States Marine Corps veteran, having been deployed twice overseas.

He first worked at Carri Scharf Materials Company in Bloomington as a welder and recently became employed at Union Pacific Railroad, also as a welder.

Jared was very loyal to his many great friends and family members, and he will be fondly remembered for how he loved to embark on new and great adventures. He was one of a kind!