Mary Jane Kelley, 86, was welcomed into eternity with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, August 21, 2025 after an onset of recent health complications.
She was born in Whitman, West Virginia on August 25, 1938 to the late William W. Click and Julie Ann (Adkins) Click Conn. Some time after her father’s tragic death, Mary Jane’s mother married the late Proctor Conn and they raised their family together. At age 12, Mary Jane’s family made their way to Galion, Ohio and she graduated from Galion High in 1956. A couple years later, Mary Jane’s coworker at the Shelby Depot introduced her to his friend, John Kelley. A few months later, she and John were married on September 13, 1958 and settled in Bucyrus. Mary Jane came to a saving faith in Christ at age 25 and worshipped and served in the Bucyrus Nazarene Church as a faithful member and longtime children’s church teacher.
As a loving homemaker, Mary Jane did a lot of sewing and seeing that her home was well taken care of. She also loved doting on her grandchildren and great grandchildren every chance she got.
Mary Jane’s beloved family include her husband of nearly 67 years, John R. Kelley; children, the late Renee Foraker and her husband Stan, Denise Kelley, Steve (Linda) Kelley, and Erin (Dan) Slayton; 12 grandchildren, David Foraker, Julie (Nick) Perry, Matthew (Renee) Foraker, Sarah (Shawn) Campbell, Randall Kelley, Rachel (Matthew) Miracle, Esther Kelley-Murphy (Mark), Kim (Tim) Schreck, Kristen (Jon) Blum, Alison Kay Slayton, Elizabeth Renee Slayton, and Olivia Jane Slayton; 15 great grandchildren, Michael, Maya, Alyssa, Beckham, Brinley, Harlow, McKenna, Finnegan, Lily, Zoey, Alice, Robert, Andrew, Karsten, and Annika; and her sister, Dorothy Lehman.
The Kelley family will receive friends on Friday, August 29 from 5-7 pm at Wise Funeral Service in Bucyrus. Her funeral will be held on Saturday at 10:30 am in the Bucyrus Nazarene Church with Pastor Ray LaSalle officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery.
Memorial contributions are encouraged to be made payable to Bucyrus Nazarene Church for missions and can be given through the funeral home. Memories and photos can be shared on the guestbook of Mary Jane’s tribute page at www.wisefuneral.com.
