MRS. WILLIAM KELLY

Fannie Fern Ford was born July 22, 1864, on a farm near Redstone, Pennsylvania, about forty miles south of Pittsburgh. She was a daughter of Andrew and Clarissa Ford, the youngest of eleven children, all of whom preceded her in death.

She came to Missouri Valley, Iowa in March of 1883 to make her home with her sister, Mrs. H. F. Blythe. She was married to William Kelly at Council Bluffs, Iowa September 14, 1886. After living in Missouri Valley for a short time, they moved to Blair Nebraska in June of 1887 where they have resided ever since. To them were born three children: Paul, now of Washington, D.C.; Ethel of Lincoln, Nebraska; and Margaret of Blair, a member of the Blair High school faculty.

Mrs. Kelly had been in poor health for more than seven years, suffering from a heart ailment, she had been confined to her home on West Front street during the past six weeks. Death came suddenly and unexpectedly at 1:30 a.m. December 24. Mrs. Kelly had attained the age of 74 years, five months and two days.

She is survived by her husband and three children. Paul spent two weeks visiting with the family in October, so his leave of absence from work was up, and due to the distance he was unable to be here for the funeral services. The others were with her.

Mrs. Kelly had been a member of the Methodist church from childhood, and she was very active in the work of the church as long as her health permitted. She was a charter member and past worthy matron of McKinley chapter, No. 161, Order of the Eastern Star.

Services were held at 2:00 p.m., December 26, at the home with Rev. Ralph P. Rasmussen of the Methodist Episcopal church in charge. Members of the local chapter of the O.E.S. took part in the services. Interment was made in the Blair cemetery.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

FindaGrave #115878421