Ned E. Kelley

Matt Fritz

Inman — Ned E. Kelley, 84, of Inman, died Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024 at his home in Inman.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill with a 7 p.m. prayer service.

A celebration of life service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug.  16, 2024 at the Word of Life Christian Center in O'Neill. Rev. Jim Loutzenhiser will officiate.

Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024 in the Inman Cemetery in Inman.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

Ned was born March 20, 1940 at his Grandma Kelley's home in Inman, the son of William and Willametta Park Kelley. He grew up on the family farm near Inman. He attended grade school at Willow Lake country school which was in the same section as their farm so he usually walked to school with his siblings and cousin. He then attended Inman High School and graduated in 1958. He played baseball and basketball and set a school record, which he still holds, of 53 points scored in one basketball game. He was also involved in 4-H and Methodist Youth Fellowship.  

He then attended Norfolk Junior College on a basketball scholarship, graduating with an associate's degree in 1960. He went on to attend Doane College and Wayne State College.  

After they dated for seven years he married his high school sweetheart Linelle Tompkins at the Inman United Methodist Church on Aug. 5, 1962.

He loved music and enjoyed being in the band and then in a small dance band when he was in high school. He sang in the church choirs wherever he lived. He enjoyed playing city league basketball in Lincoln.

He began working for the Nebraska Department of Roads out of Lincoln as an engineer's aide where he helped build Interstate 80 from Lincoln to Beaver Crossing. He then began working for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in stores in Lincoln, Omaha, McCook and Crete.  

In 1978 he and his wife Linelle purchased O'Neill Tire and Supply and they moved back to Inman where he would live for the rest of his life.  

Ned served as mayor of Inman for many years and he helped reinstate the O'Neill Summerfest Rodeo, serving as chairman of the Rodeo Committee for over 20 years. He was an active member of the Inman United Methodist Church and eventually began attending Word of Life Christian Center in O'Neill.  

Throughout his life he enjoyed hunting and fishing as well as taking his family on many wonderful camping vacations around the United States. He loved his hunting dogs.  

He served as a member of the Nebraska Army National Guard.

Ned is survived by his wife of 62 years Linelle Tompkins Kelley of Inman; two sons Bruce (Carol) Kelley of Vermillion, SD and  Brian Kelley of Fremont; one daughter, Carmen Druckenmiller of Decatur; six grandchildren James and Rebecca Kelley of Vermillion, SD, Jack and Joshua Kelley of Fremont and Jeremiah and Simon Druckenmiller of Decatur; one brother Don (Mary) Kelley of Lincoln; one sister Kay (Avery) Zediker of Sioux City, Iowa; two brothers-in-law Robert Davis and  Neil (Ruth) Tompkins, all of Inman; one cousin-in-law Dianne Kelley of Grand Island; two sisters-in-law Barbara Tompkins of Spokane, WA and Donna Tompkins of Grand Island; as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Bill and Met Kelley, one sister Ann Davis, one cousin Neal Kelley, one grandson Connor Kelley, one nephew Shawn Kelley, one niece Kami Davis Sholes, one daughter-in-law Elise Malmberg Kelley and two brothers-in-law Roger Tompkins and Allen Tompkins.             

(0) COMMENTS

Welcome to the discussion.