KELLY DALE FRENCH, 74 years, of Lyons, Nebraska passed away Friday, November 1, 2013, at his home in Lyons.
 

Kelly Dale French was born May 20, 1939, on his parent’s farm in rural Decatur, Nebraska. He attended the Ball Country School in rural Decatur from 1st through 8th grades and then graduated from Decatur High School in 1956. He took classes at Wayne State College for two years before going to work for the Co-op in Tekamah, Nebraska.
 

Kelly met his “Special Angel” Bonnie Fritts in 1957 and they were married October 24, 1959. They lived in Tekamah and Craig, Nebraska, the first two years of their marriage and then moved to Lyons where they have resided for over fifty years.
 

Kelly was involved with sales most of his life which included the Lyons Creamery, the Logan Valley Fertilizer plant, Regional Manager for Na-Churs Fertilizer, and car salesman for Lubkers Ford and Paus Motors in West Point, Nebraska, until he retired in 2005. Upon retiring, Kelly enjoyed working for the Lyons-Decatur Public Schools as a bus driver. He often told his family that the kids he transported brought great joy to his day and he was heartbroken that he had to stop due to his illness.
 

Kelly was active in his community by serving on the city council for several terms, owning and operating the Lyons Theatre for several years, and volunteering for various community and church projects including helping with the Bluegrass Festival held annually in Lyons. He was devoted to his church by serving on the Parish Council for several terms. He helped teach the religious education for junior and senior high students at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. He also played the organ and sang in the church choir for over 45 years. Kelly was very committed to the Christian Encounter Christ movement for over 25 years. One of Kelly’s deepest passions was his involvement with the Knights of Columbus at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church reaching the level of 4th degree Knight. He served as Grand Knight for several years.
 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford “Tuffy” and Myrtle (Ball) French of Walthill, NE; brother, Don French of South Sioux City, NE; nephew, Daryl French of Pender, NE.
 

Kelly is survived by his wife Bonnie French of Lyons; his 5 children: son, Joe French and his wife, Sandi, of Marysville, MI, son, Jim French and his wife, Lori, of Olathe, KS, daughter, Kristine Munderloh and her husband, Dwight, of Raymond, NE, son, Jerry French and his wife, Becky, of Lincoln, NE, daughter, Michelle Williams and her husband, Gary, of Lincoln; 20 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; numerous relatives and friends.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Wednesday, November 6, 2013, 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Lyons, Nebraska.

VISITATION: Tuesday, November 5, 2013, with the family receiving friends from 4 - 7 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. VIGIL SERVICE all at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Visitation Wednesday will be held at the church one hour prior to the service.
 

MEMORIALS: To the Family