Kelly Robert Bales

A LINK TO THE VIDEO IS UNDER THE PHOTO. THANK YOU\r\n\r\nKelly Robert Bales\r\nMattoon, IL-Kelly Robert Bales, age 33, of Mattoon, IL, passed away at 12:54 p.m., Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Care Center. \r\nVisitation will be held Friday evening, February 12, 2010, from 3:00-7:00 p.m., at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL, 61938. A private family memorial service will be held at a later date. \r\nKelly was born in Mattoon, IL on July 10, 1976, the son of Bob L. and Pam S. (Ring) Bales. Both parents survive in Okeechobee, FL. He married Carrie L. Montgomery on November 17, 2007 in Mattoon, IL. She survives along with their two month old son, Owen Riley Bales. Other survivors include one brother, Korey L. Bales and wife Jennifer of Norfolk, VA; niece and nephew, Robert Sean Bales and JoAnna Marie Bales; uncles and aunts, Rex and Bobby Hilligoss of Mattoon, IL, and Jerry and B.J. Porter of Dickson, TN; and cousins, Jeff and Beth Hilligoss and their daughter Izzy of Mattoon, IL, and Andy Hilligoss of Mattoon, IL; mother and father in-law, Alan and Judy Montgomery of Mattoon, IL; one brother in law, Scott A. Montgomery and wife Jessie L. of Gays, IL; and maternal grandparents in-law, Laurence and Phyllis Montgomery of Mattoon, IL, and Barbara Specht of Neoga, IL. He also leaves extended family, Tom and Linda Niemeyer, and Curt and Linze Niemeyer, all of Humboldt, IL, and the entire Niemeyer Kubota staff. He was preceded in death by grandparents, Lloyd and Jo Ring, and his cat and loyal companion, Bagara. \r\nKelly was a 1995 graduate of Mattoon High School and in 1997 received an Associate's Degree in Diesel Ag Power from Lake Land College. He had been a part of the Mattoon High School wrestling team and was a former member of Steve Sell's Boy Scout Troop. He attended the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Mattoon, IL, and was employed as a technician by Niemeyer Kubota in Humboldt, IL. He was Past President and a current member of the Tri-County R/C Flying Club. Quite the adventurer, Kelly enjoyed power parachuting, four- wheeling, and motorcycles. He was also very fond of the outdoors and liked camping, fishing, boating and outdoor sports. Kelly loved children, was a loyal friend and never met a stranger. He was a jokester and had an infectious smile that lit up the room. He loved his wife and family, and treasured his friends, but his life's greatest joy was the birth of his son.\r\nIn lieu of flowers, memorials in his honor may be made to his son, Owen Riley Bales at the Bales Memorial Fund with First Mid-Illinois Bank. Please visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com to view the video tribute, light a virtual candle in his honor, or share a memory with his family. \r\n

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Kelly Robert Bales

July 10, 1976 - February 9, 2010