Funeral Services and Mass of Christian Burial for Emery M. Kellums, 80, a resident of Davenport, will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 21, 2013 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 4105 N. Division Street, Davenport. Burial will be in the National Cemetery, Rock Arsenal, with military graveside services conducted by the American Legion Post 26. The visitation at Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, 614 Main Street, downtown Davenport, will begin Sunday, October 20, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. with a prayer service. The family will greet friends following the prayer service until 4:00 p.m. There will be an additional visitation Monday in the gathering space at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Mr. Kellums passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 15, 2013 in the comfort of his home following a wonderful weekend at his cabin at Lake Delhi.
Emery Merle Kellums was born 18, March, 1933 in Davenport, a son of Emery Earl and Catherine “Katie” Carney. He graduated from the former Davenport High. He then entered the U.S. Air Force and embarked on a twenty-year military career. He was stationed in Omaha, Guam, Montana, Turkey and New Mexico during his service time. Emery was attached to the Military Police Squadron. Following his military career he entered the civilian work force in the Provost Marshall’s Office, serving as a security specialist.
He was united in marriage to Mary Lee Riedesel on August 8, 1959 at Holy Family Catholic Church, Davenport. Together they were blessed with over 54-years of marriage.
Emery’s greatest joy in life was his family; he cherished the time spent with his beloved wife, kids and grandchildren. He enjoyed following all their personal interests, whether sports related or school achievements. He also found great peace and comfort at their summer cabin on Lake Delhi; Mary and he enjoyed over 25-years of family memories gathering as a family at the lake, as well as meeting and establishing wonderful “lake friends and family”. He was the secretary for over 13 years for the Hartwick Point Association at Lake Delhi.
Memorials may be made to either the Family Enrichment Center, 500 E 59th Street, Davenport, IA 52807 or to the Community Funds to Rebuild Lake Delhi Fund. P. O. Box 4, Delhi, IA 52223.
Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Mary, daughters and a son-in-law, Kathy and Jeff Toft, Davenport and Pam Kellums, Bettendorf; sons and a daughter-in-law, Dirk and Tammy Kellums, Bettendorf and Kevin Kellums, Blue Grass; eight grandchildren, Amy (Brian) Knutson, Steve (Christie) Toft, Jake (Kayla) Toft, Sara Kellums, Michael Conner, Emily, Amanda, and Brad Kellums; 4 great grandchildren, and a brother-in-law, Ted Bishop, Blue Grass, a sister-in-law Marilyn Riedesel, Davenport and many wonderful nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, a sister, Marjorie J. Bishop, also preceded him in death. May they rest in peace.
Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting Emery’s obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com .
