Glada M. Kelly, age 77, Mill Creek Rd., Austinburg Twp., died Saturday morning at her residence after fighting a long battle with cancer.

She was born November 29, 1939 in Ashland, KY, the daughter of William H. & Georgia E. (Howell) Craft and has lived in this area since 1962, coming from Ashland, KY.  Glada was married to Roy Kelly, Jr. on April 28, 1956 in Ashland.  Glada and Roy owned and operated Jewell’s Dance Hall in Austinburg for many years.

She attended the Jefferson United Methodist Church.  She and Roy managed the Volkswagen Agency on Lake Ave. in Ashtabula in the early 60’s, and then had Kelly’s Auto Service.  She also worked for Gil Leiber Buick-Oldsmobile.  Glada sang with the Cross Country Band for 21 years.  She enjoyed reading, traveling and going to the casino.  Her greatest love after her family was music.  Glada sang all of her life, starting at the age of 8 in the Jean Thomas Elizabethan Folk Song Festival.  She sang with a trio as a teenager and enjoyed many years of singing country music, both locally and regionally.

Survivors include her husband, Roy, four children, Mark B. Kelly of N. Kingsville, Rick N. (Cheryl) Kelly of Plymouth Twp., Joseph H. (Ally) Kelly of Nashville, TN & Lisa M. (Robert) Ebersole of Roaming Shores and James R. Schroeder of Austinburg Twp. whom Glada & Roy treated the same as a son, eight grandchildren, Kristen (Tom) Bush, Lori (Nate) John, Ricky (Amanda) Kelly, Brian (Amanda) Kelly, Jason (Liz) Kelly, Erin Kelly, Jacob Westcott & Jaime Ebersole, five great-grandchildren, a brother, Larry G. (Ruth) Craft of Baker City, OR and two sisters, Phyllis Thornbury & Sharon (Bill) Handley, both of Flatwoods, KY.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Lacy & Bill Craft and sisters, Betty Wallace, Josephine Layne, Johnelle Lakin and Sheila Craft in infancy.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 11:00 A. M. at the Jefferson United Methodist Church, 125 E. Jefferson St., Jefferson with the Rev. Daniel Bilkert officiating.  Burial will be in Eagleville Cemetery.

Calling hours will be held Tuesday from 4-8 P. M. at the Jefferson Home of Fleming & Billman Funeral Directors and Crematory, 49 W. Jefferson St., Jefferson.  Memorial contributions may be directed to the Jefferson United Methodist Church (above address) for the music ministry program.  The Fleming & Billman Funeral Homes and staff are honored to serve the Glada Kelly family.  Visit fleming-billman.com to view obituary, express condolences, light a candle or send a flower.

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