1936 – 2014

AUBURN — Walter R. Kelley, 77, of Turner, died Thursday, Oct. 30, at the Hospice House, with both his family and his companion at his side, after a long illness.

He was born in Iowa on Dec. 19, 1936, a son of the late Henry and Margaret (Doty) Kelley. He was a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Class of 1955. He was a U.S. Navy veteran for four years, stationed at the Brunswick Naval Air Station. Prior to his retirement, he worked for many years in the local shoe industry as a dye maker and for 13 years at Marden’s Department Store.

He was the husband of the former Melida Lavoie, who died in 1989.

Walter is survived by his longtime companion of 25 years, Eleanor Bernier, and her family of Saco; two sons, Brian Kelley and his wife, Susan, of Leeds, and Kevin Kelley and his wife, Anne, of Farmingdale; three daughters, Debra Duplissis and husband, Stephen, of Leeds, Pamela Grant and husband, Stephen, of Greene, and Lisa Knowles and husband, Andy, of Skowhegan; one stepdaughter, Debbie Parise, of Lewiston; one brother, Frank Kelley, of Oregon; one sister, Pauline Leeper, of Iowa; 10 grandchildren; two great-granddaughters; and nieces, nephews and cousins.

Besides his wife, he was predeceased by one sister, Mary Nichol; and three brothers, Leonard, Ronnie and Charles Kelley.

Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.com.