Stephen Kelly

KELLY, Stephen "Steve"

Beloved husband of Joanne M. Kelly (nee Mertz) for 61 years. Loving father of Stephen M. (Jennifer) Kelly. Dear grandfather of Caitlin, Patrick and the late Cecilia Kelly. Brother of Jack (Carol) Kelly, Jean (Joe) Fortier and the late Patricia Hildreth and David Kelly. Brother-in-law of Carl Mertz, James Hildreth and Lois Mills. Son of the late John and Doris Kelly. Also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Passed away on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the age of 83. Stephen was a veteran of the United States Air Force where he expanded his love of photography and photographic sciences. Upon honorable discharge, he began working with the Kodak Company in Rochester, NY where he met and married Joanne. His career took him all over the United States, carrying them on multiple adventures and allowing them to expand their list of friends and adopted family along the way. They settled in Ohio long enough to pick up Stephen, and then moved on to Chicago and then Detroit while Steve worked in the IT sector. They all finally landed back in Ohio in the mid 1990's, just outside Cincinnati where Steve finally caved in and started working for Big Blue (IBM).

Steve enjoyed a wonderful and fulfilling career and personal life, especially as his family grew with the addition of grandchildren, with whom he shared many stories about hockey, the Air Force, computers, cameras, and anything else he could amaze them with. Upon retirement, Steve became an active volunteer at the National Museum of the United States Air Force where he enjoyed walking amongst the planes he had admired and flown in during his time in the Air Force. He sincerely enjoyed sharing stories and history with visitors and other veterans. When his time as a docent was done, he changed gears to enjoy being the unofficial "mayor" of Chesterwood Village where he continued to hold court and meet new friends. Steve and Joanne never met a stranger and welcomed everyone into their lives. Steve will be remembered fondly and missed greatly.

Memorial Gathering will be held at Chesterwood Village, 8073 Tylersville Rd., West Chester, 45069 on Sunday, February 15, 2026, from 1 PM until time of Memorial Service at 2 PM. Inurnment will take place at Dayton National Cemetery on Thursday, February 19th at 11 am.

In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to the Air Force Museum Foundation at https://airforcemuseumfoundation.org/support/#donate-now