Paul A. Kelly

Paul A. Kelly, age 81, of Blanchester, passed away peacefully Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at Bethesda North Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, with his family by his side. He was born March 30, 1944, in Clinton County, Ohio, the son of the late Carl and Ruth (Atkinson) Kelly. Paul was born on the family farm and passionately devoted his life to agriculture. Paul was a faithful member of New Vienna Community Church. He served on the Clinton County Soil and Water Conservation Board and was named Ohio’s Outstanding No-Till Farmer of the Year in 1997. Paul, along with his wife, Bonnie, loved traveling and had visited all 50 states. His go-to place was Dale Hollow Lake in Tennessee where he spent many summers with family and friends. Paul was a great family man and adored his time with them.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Bonnie Jean (Hartley) Kelly; children, Paul Allen (Joyce) Kelly of Midland, Rhonda Howell of Xenia, Josh Kelly of Blanchester, and Nicole (Brent) Smith of Wilmington; grandchildren, April (Jim) Ventura of Morrow, Cade (Kelcey) Kelly of Midland, Tyler (Jessica Gregory) Howell of Xenia, Tyler Kelly of Blanchester, and Riley and Owen Smith of Wilmington; great grandchildren, Shane (Sofia Lopez Mimendi) Curtsinger of Denver, Colorado, J.D. (Nicole) Curtsinger of Durham, North Carolina, Hayley (fiancée Kristin Witz) Curtsinger of Loveland, Jasper and Cayden Howell of Xenia, Abbi Scott of Xenia, and a great granddaughter on the way; great great grandchild, Julia, and a great great grandson on the way; siblings Ann Newman of Vandalia, Mary (Frank) Joseph of Ocala, Florida, and Roger (Ruth) Kelly of Blanchester; brothers-in-law Luke (Judy) Hartley of Clarksville, George (Jill) Hartley of Wilmington; and Walt Streber of New Vienna. He is also survived by special friends Vernon and Vickie Gregory of Wilmington, Dan and Bev Mayo of New Vienna, and Dave Ertel of Lawrenceburg, Indiana. In addition to his parents, Paul is preceded in death by brother, Kenny Kelly, sister, Cathy O’Sickey, grandson, Randy Leis, nephew, Butchie Hartley, and sister-in-law, Connie Streber.

Visitation will be held Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Dove Church, 1499 Rombach Avenue, Wilmington, Ohio 45177 from 12:00-2:00 with funeral service to follow immediately after. Pastor Dan Mayo will officiate. Burial will follow in the Martinsville I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Martinsville, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations in Paul’s honor be made to New Vienna Community Church, P.O. Box 454, New Vienna, Ohio 45159.

Brown Funeral Home, Wilmington, is assisting the family. To leave on-line condolences, please visit www.arehart-brown.com, or see our Facebook page, Brown Funeral Home.

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