Burdette Kelly
Burdette William “Burd” Kelly, 82, of Boyers, passed away at St. Barnabas Valencia Woods on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, following an extended illness.
He was born on Friday, June 16, 1939, to James Brady and Caroline Gertrude (Steiner) Kelly at their home in Boyers.
Burdette attended Grove City High School. There was not a bus available for transportation, so he and his brother road the train from their home in Boyers to Grove City and back, every day to school.
Burdette married Waneeta Glenn on June 29, 1959. They were married for 60 years until her passing on Feb. 21, 2020.
He enjoyed working on small engines and cars. Burdette was employed by General Electric in Grove City for 27 years as a machine operator before his retirement in 1999. During this time, he also worked for Joe Cirillo at Cirillo's Garage at the intersection of Route 8 and 108 in Butler County.
Burdette was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Forestville, Pa.
A few years before his retirement, Burdette designed and built a house, where he and Waneeta enjoyed watching the deer and hummingbirds from their back porch. He also cherished family dinners and holidays, where he was delightfully entertained by his grandchildren.
Burdette and Waneeta enjoyed traveling after they retired. The highlight of those adventures was a family trip to Alaska in 2009.
Burdette is survived by two daughters, Terry Ann (David) Smith of Harrisville, and Robin M. (Sam) Thompson of Slippery Rock; and a son, Kirk W. (Kellie) Kelly of Butler; five grandchildren, Eric D. Smith of Newbury, Ohio, Amber N. (Kiel) Nissel of St. Marys, Pa., Jacob D. (Kara) Thompson of Butler, Brady S. Thompson of Harrisville, and Joshua W. Kelly of Butler; his great-grandson, Henry W. Smith of Newbury, Ohio; his brother, Douglass (Peggy) Kelly of Kennerdale; and several nieces and nephews.
Burdette was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; three brothers, James Kelly Jr., Herbert Kelly and Keith Kelly; four sisters, Sarah Van Tassel, Josephine Galla, Pauline Errera and Colena Mitchell; and two nephews.
Burdette and his family wanted to extend a special thank you to St. Barnabas Health Care System and their hospice team, for the loving care that was extended to not only Burdette but to the whole family.
KELLY — The family of Burdette William “Burd” Kelly, who died Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Smith Funeral Home, 421 New Castle St., Slippery Rock.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Anthony Church, 232 Boyers Road, Harrisville, with the Rev. Father Adam Verona presiding.
Interment will be in St. Anthony Cemetery in Harrisville.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to St. Anthony Catholic Church, 232 Boyers Road, Forestville, PA 16035, or to the Parkinson's Foundation of Western Pennsylvania, 575 Lincoln Avenue, #101, Bellevue, PA 15202.
