Obituary of Rev. Harvey P. Kelley

Rev. Harvey P. Kelley, 80, of Howell passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at home.  Rev. Kelley was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania and was raised in Isle, Pennsylvania.  He had lived in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania before leaving to study at The King’s College in Briarcliff Manor, New York.  While at school, Rev. Kelley worked nights at a hospital in Tarrytown, New York where he met his wife, Doris.  He graduated from The King’s College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and then graduated from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Philadelphia with a Degree in Divinity.  Rev. Kelley’s first appointment as a Pastor was at Dividing Creek Baptist Church in Dividing Creek, New Jersey.  In 1965, the church membership of Ardena Baptist Church voted in Rev. Harvey Kelley as their new pastor.  He served the church for over forty years until his retirement in 2006, ministering with a special place in his heart for the Youth Groups and Vacation Bible School.  A true man of the people, Rev. Kelley also retired as a letter carrier for the United States Post Office in Farmingdale and Howell.  He enjoyed spending time outdoors and relished in the time he spent being “Papa” to his grandchildren. 

Rev. Kelley was predeceased by his son, Shawn Paul Kelley; twin brother, Harold David Kelley; brother, Fred Kelley; daughter-in-law, June P. Kelley; and brother-in-law, Dennis Scott.  He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Doris Ann Kelley; children, Harold Kelley of Farmingdale, Robert Kelley and his wife, Lynn of Jackson, and Shannon Kelley-Barkalow and her husband, Robert Barkalow of Farmingdale; seven grandchildren, Zachary Paul Kelley, Megan Paige Kelley, Erin Elizabeth Kelley, Blaise Charles Kelley, Shelby Paige Barkalow, Ian Robert Barkalow, and Sophie Piper Barkalow; sister, Judy Scott; and many nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

A visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township, NJ on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his 11:00 AM Funeral Service on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at the Ardena Baptist Church, 593 Adelphia Road, Howell.  Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ardena Baptist Church VBS Program, 593 Adelphia Road, Freehold 07728 or the Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741. For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.