Leonard (Gene) Kelley, 83, died on March 30, 2026, with his family at his side. He was born at home during a snowstorm on a dairy farm near Lexington, IL on December 11, 1942, the son of Leonard and Edith Dodson Kelley.

He was raised with a strong work ethic which he passed to his family. He graduated from Lexington schools where he was allowed to leave football practice early to go home and milk cows. He married his high school sweetheart, Lucy Killian, on February 16, 1964, and together they had three children, Colleen Klein, Hudson, Mike (Patty) Kelley, Lexington, and Dan Kelley, Towanda.

Gene served 4 years in the United States Air Force, followed by 26 years as a District 6 Illinois State Trooper, retiring in 1993 as a Master Sergeant. He raised livestock as a side gig, helped family and friends with anything mechanical, and brought his kids up in the country as farm kids with a menagerie of pets. He spent his retirement years building a home and continuing to help family and friends.

In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by 7 grandchildren: Connor (Kellie) Kelley, Caitlin (Jared) Philp, Makenzie (John) Schuler, Allison Klein, Megan, Erin and Alaina Kelley, and 7 great-grandchildren: Halle, Michael, Krew, Charlotte, Jack, Monroe and Gunner.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Margaret Skarda.

Memorials may be made to Lexington Community School District where the 5th generation of his family attends. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.