Visitation:
Friday, June 2, 2023
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Secor Funeral Home
35 Railroad Street
Plymouth , Ohio 44865
Service:
Friday, June 2, 2023
1:00 p.m.
Secor Funeral Home
35 Railroad Street
Plymouth , OH 44865
Zelona Jane Kelley, age 84, of Plymouth, Ohio passed away on Saturday, May 27, 2023 at UH Samaritan Hospital in Ashland, Ohio.
She was the eighth child born to Logan and Gladys (Williams) Prince in Portsmouth, Ohio, and the first to be born in a hospital. Zelona’s family moved north to Mansfield, Ohio during her teen years, and as fate would have it, she met and married the good-looking neighbor boy, Kenny Kelley after he returned from the Army.
They married September 30, 1957, and together, Kenny and Loni built a wonderful life and celebrated 64 years of marriage. Kenny was the social director and Loni was usually up for anything he had planned. Listening to them sing and watching them dance together was a memorable experience.
Zelona retired from RR Donnelly in Willard, Ohio, but the achievements she was most proud of was raising her children, and then being an amazing grandma and great grandma. She was fun loving, active, full of special talents and many life lessons. She taught her kids and grandkids how to swim, skate, dance, do cartwheels, and play guitar. She was an exceptional seamstress, artist, and could sing beautifully. She always made holidays fun. Zelona was an eternal optimist, and guided her family with her motto - “Count your blessings!” She spent countless hours praying for God’s help to guide them and protect them. Her whole family was blessed by her unconditional love, and with that came their desire not to ever disappoint her. It is the kind of love you carry with you the rest of your life.
She is survived by her two children, Debbie (Ralph) Noble and Kenneth “Buck” (Toni) Kelley; foster son, Scott Harris; five grandchildren, Chassy Mosqueda, Liza Bays, Casey Kelley, Adam Milligan, Draven Kelley; six great grandchildren, Sadie and Foster Mosqueda, Jackson and Lily Bays, Parker and Henry Milligan; brother, Rick (Debbie) Prince.
In addition to her parents, Zelona was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Kenneth Kelley on January 10, 2022; and seven siblings, Leo Prince, Hobart Prince, Billy Prince, Jean Clevenger, Wanda Heaton, and two infant sisters, Patty and Juanita.
Family and friends may gather at Secor Funeral Home in Plymouth on Friday, June 2, 2023 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Zelona’s memorial service will follow at 1:00 p.m. Private burial will take place at Greenlawn Cemetery in Plymouth at a later time. Memorial contributions can be made to Gentiva Hospice of Mount Vernon, Ohio. Online condolences can be left for the family by visiting www.secorfuneralhomes.com.