Daniel Edward Kelly Obituary (1927 - 2018)

Dan has waited long enough, and has joined his wife to dance in the HEAVENLY dance saloon. He loved dancing and wanted everyone to know how. He believed if you dance, you are happy. Not a day went by that he didn't watch dancing, talk about dancing or actually danced. He had a special way of wording his thoughts and always used his sense of humor. People naturally gravitated to him. Dan was an only child from Chicago, married Joan Bodenhorn Wells and had six children. He and Joan spent their nearly 60 years together with family, including 13 grandchildren. He always wanted some kind of party going on. He enjoyed each family member for their strengths and guided them with care. Although he worked hard, he played hard. Dan instilled many of his hobbies in his family. He and Joan joined a camping club and traveled for over 50 years, landing in Florida with several club families and later moved near family in Texas. He taught scuba diving with friends, certifying every family member. He was an avid weight lifter for over 70 years. He often played billiards and was a lap swimmer. In his earlier years, he hunted and enjoyed ham radio. His career developed through the Air Force. In Guam during WWII, he was in communications as a cryptographic technician. He continued in the National Guard Reserves for over 20 years. After graduating from DePaul University, he went on to Illinois Bell/AT&T where he was responsible for phone services in several Chicago hospitals. Dan is preceded in death by his parents Daniel R. Kelly, Estella Goldrick Kelly, mother-in-law Ruth L. Wells and his wife Joan Bodenhorn Wells. He is remembered with love by family members: (son Michael Kelly, wife Lou Ann, child Kyle), (daughter Patricia Reardon, husband Mike, children Matthew and Riley), (daughter Erin Pucher, husband Tom, children Daniel, Andrew and Katie), (daughter Colleen Devine, husband Russell Budnick, children Patrick, Adam and Sean), (daughter Eileen Daniels, husband Michael, children Ryan and Tessa), (daughter Carmel DeMaria, husband Sam, children Brian and Kevin), (brother-in-law Clyde Wells, wife Kathy, children Devin and Kirk). A Catholic memorial service will be held to honor Dan. In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Dancers Against Cancer- https://www.gofundme.com/dancers-against-cancer-fall-2018 Or The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks The Elks National Foundation provides an online form at: https://www.elks.org/enf/ Dan was an Elks member for over 70 years. He spent many years in Florida with the Aripeka lodge #2520, and more recently enjoyed membership in Texas with his son at Lodge #151, and his daughter at Lodge #2322. Both are registered 501(c)(3) charitable organizations The family would like to thank Faith Community Hospice and Psalm 23 Personal Care Home.