Kenneth E. Kelley, Jr.

Kenneth Edward Kelley, Jr. passed away on Saturday, April 22, 2023. Ken was born in Rockford, IL at Swedish American Hospital on November 30, 1988.  Ken graduated from Harlem High School in 2007.  He worked at Schneider Electric, Mondolez, and S&S Rolloffs and was a stay-at-home dad. Ken met the love of his life, Jelica Keller, in high school and they were together 17 years.  Ken and Jelica had three beautiful children together and Ken’s family meant everything to him.  Ken became a member of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club July 31, 2019.

Ken is survived by Jelica and his three children, Kensley (9), Luca (7) and Jada (4); his parents, Deborah (Robert) Beadnell and Kenneth (Jennifer) Kelley, Sr.; siblings, Allison Kelley, Joseph (Kim) Bonavia, Ryan (Sophia) Beadnell, Charity Smith, TJ (Angela) Eddy and David (Charity) Eddy. Also his grandparents, Victor Bonavia and Patricia Thornton, Sandy and Rex Blaine and Frank (Lynn) Beadnell; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.  He is predeceased by his grandparents, Bobby and Patricia Kelley, Thomas Thornton, Shirley Bonavia and his cousin, Robert Lindberg.

Ken saw the world in beautiful color at an early age. His creative imagination was always portrayed in his projects in many colors. He was accepted to the Harlem Academy of arts program where he continued to put his artistic touch on all his artwork and he carried it throughout his life from the oak handmade crib he built with his own two hands with the help of his father and his grandpa Bobby for his first child, Kensley. He put his artistic touch on many flyers for the many benefits he participated in to name just a few. Some may have been lucky enough to receive his screen printing and custom vinyl word art. He had an amazing sense of humor from the moment he could talk; his funny faces, the jokes he told, quoting movies because he loved to make us laugh. He was so witty and funny.  He built a beautiful life with his high school sweetheart Jelica and their three beautiful children. He was a stay-at-home dad. He loved playing video games with this son and dolls and teatime with his daughters.

Growing up Ken played soccer and T-ball. We used to say that kid has wheels because he sure was fast and seemed to never run out of steam. He loved camping and fishing, always hoping for a big smalley or northern pike and even took a hunter safety course at a young age taught by his grandpa Tom. Ken enjoyed time with Jelica and his kids and her family in Dubuque, Iowa on the Mississippi River. He enjoyed boating and jet skiing and country rides on his Harley with Jel and his HAMC friends. He enjoyed board game night and hanging with his friends BSing around a campfire with a few beers and an occasional bourbon or whiskey. His work with the HAMC helped so many from the many benefits to the annual Christmas toy drives or just offering comforting words to loved ones in need. He helped stand guard at a few local businesses during their time of need and even stayed all night inside one of the stores to keep a walk-in cooler from shutting down for one local business owner.

Ken was an amazing son, grandson, brother, boyfriend, father, uncle and friend to so many. His life was cut too short but he filled our lives with amazing memories and he will always be with us in our hearts and prayers until we meet again.  We love you with all our hearts. Rest in peace, Ken.

Memorial Visitation will be in Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory-Mulford Chapel, 4311 N. Mulford Road, Loves Park, IL 61111 on Saturday, May 6, 2023 from 10:00am until 12:00pm for family and friends.  His HAMC family will visit from 12:00pm to 2:00pm.  In lieu of flowers, Ken’s family requests that donations be made to the Go Fund Me page Ken Kelley (Ken Kelley organized by Jessica Verdier). 

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