March 8, 1947 - August 15, 1970

Robert Kelley Dies Saturday

Robert Lee Kelley, Jr., 23, of 703 Ninth, was killed instantly about 11 p.m. Saturday when the car he was driving struck an abutmnet bridge at the York overpass when he was traveling south on the Interstate.

A passenger in the car, Rickey Luck, 22, of 601 S. Montana was in improved condition at St. Peter's Hospital today.  He sustained massive cuts and bruises on his face and arms and was thrown from the vehicle.

Sheriff-Coroner Dave Middlemas said Kelley apparently died when his head was crushed.  He said no inquest or autopsy will be conducted.

The automobile was demolished, Middlemas said.

Kelly was the son of Robert L. and Norma Wilcosen Kelley and was born in Helena March 8, 1947.

He attended schools here and graduated from Cathedral High School.  He spent six years in the Naval Reserve with two years of active duty in Vietnam.

He had received the Navy Unit Citation for U.S. Naval Support of activity at Da Nang.

Kelley had attended Shoreline Junior College in Seattle for two years and this summer was employed on construction work and part time for the Railway Express.  He planned to attend the University of Montana this fall.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hamilton of Portland; a niece, Stephanie, of Portland; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. today at the Retz Funeral Chapel and Mass of the Resurrection will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Helena Cathedral.

Burial will be in Forestvale Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Rod Luck, Mike Nilan, Cliff Christian, Mike Purcell, John Allen and Robert Langraf.

Printed in the Helena Independent Record, Monday, August 17, 1970, page 5