Dale Leroy Kelley

Dale Leroy Kelley was born on November 16, 1961 to William E. Kelley and Mayme M. Trella in Hammond, Indiana. Dale was the fifth oldest of six sons-Edward, Bill, David, Michael and Joseph.

He passed away on June 18th at 2:18 AM surrounded by those he loved.

He is survived by Sheila Louise Copeland/Kelley his wife of 34 years, their children, Ryan Anthony Kelley and Autumn Lynn Kelley, daughter-in-law, Kelly Anne Quinn/Kelley and granddaughter Makayla Anne Kelley.

Dale was a man who journeyed through life with love, happiness, strength, and showed true integrity. He was blessed to meet his beautiful wife Sheila in high school and continue their lives through two remarkable Children Ryan and Autumn. Dale showed his true compassion loving his family every day. Dale and Sheila have been happily married for thirty four years going on thirty five on July 18th. Dale always enjoyed taking his family on beach vacations, enjoying the sand beneath their feet, waves crashing in as they surfed, and just taking in the peacefulness of the ocean. It was also important to Dale and Sheila to live life simply. As long as they had each other they were happy as can be. They took time just spending nights in enjoying one another's company, which in the end that's all it was about. One memory Sheila shared was how Dale would check in making sure she was ok whether it was coming home from work or running out to run errands. Sheila loved that about Dale and knows he will be looking down on her to make sure she is always safe.

Dale and Sheila continued to build their unconditional love by first having a son, Ryan. Dale became more than just a father to Ryan. He became a best friend, baseball coach and a hero. Some of their favorite activities together were fishing, bowling and watching sports, especially cheering on their team the New England Patriots. Even though Dale is shining up in heaven Ryan knows he will continue to be with him on fishing trips, sports events, and of course during football season. Nine years later Dale, Sheila, and Ryan welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Autumn. She brought joy to Dale's life in a way every girl should. Autumn was always a daddy's girl. Dale enjoyed taking his little girl on shopping adventures and loved her company while doing yard work. Autumn is very grateful for her dad's wisdom and loves the fact she resembles the same qualities as her dad. Dale and Autumn danced through life together as inseparable pair and will continue living on life how her dad taught her to. As Dale's son got older and became a young man in high school, he met a young woman named Kelly and seven years later they wed. Kelly was very blessed to have Dale as a father to teach her the other half of her life since she missed it with her father. She was also very happy to be able to give Dale his first Grandchild, Makayla. Since Kelly was a stay at home mother with her daughter, she enjoyed time with Dale by listening to stories and watching Tin Cup which was one of Dale's favorite movies. She was very honored having Dale as another father figure in her life. Makayla helped Dale forget about the worries and just take walks out in front of the house, rock her to sleep, and jam out to John Fogerty.

Even though the family lost an unbelievable, devoted, and magnificent husband, father, and grandfather, God blessed this family with a miracle. The Kelley family was able to share miraculous news two days before Dale passed away. They all gathered together beside Dale's bed and told him baby number two is on the way! With God all things are possible!