A Celebration of Life Service for Ned E. Kelley, age 84 of Inman, NE will be 10:30 AM Friday, August 16, 2024 at the Word of Life Christian Center in O'Neill, NE. Rev. Jim Loutzenhiser will officiate.  If you wish to view the service online you can watch the livestream on Word of Life Christian Center's Facebook page. Inurnment will be at 1:30 PM in the Inman Cemetery, Inman, NE.  Visitation will be from 5 to 7 PM Thursday, August 15, 2024 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill with a Prayer Service at 7 PM.  Ned passed away at his home on Saturday, August 10, 2024.  Arrangements are under the direction of Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill.

Ned E Kelley was born March 20, 1940 at his Grandma Kelley's home in Inman Nebraska, the son of William and Willametta Park Kelley.  He grew up on the family farm near Inman.  He attended grade school at Willow Lake country school which was in the same section as their farm so he usually walked to school with his siblings and cousin.  He then attended Inman High School and graduated in 1958.  He played baseball and basketball and set a school record, which he still holds, of 53 points scored in one basketball game.  He was also involved in 4-H and Methodist Youth Fellowship.  He then attended Norfolk Junior College on a basketball scholarship, graduating with an Associate's Degree in 1960.  He went on to attend Doane College and Wayne State College.  After they dated for 7 years he married his high school sweetheart, Linelle Tompkins at the Inman United Methodist Church on August 5, 1962.

He loved music and enjoyed being in the band and then in a small dance band when he was in high school.  He sang in the church choirs wherever he lived.  He enjoyed playing city league basketball in Lincoln.

He began working for the Nebraska Department of Roads out of Lincoln as an Engineer's Aide where he helped build Interstate 80 from Lincoln to Beaver Crossing.  He then began working for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in stores in Lincoln, Omaha, McCook, and Crete.  In 1978 he and his wife Linelle purchased O'Neill Tire and Supply and they moved back to Inman where he would live for the rest of his life.  He served as mayor of Inman for many years and he helped reinstate the O'Neill Summerfest Rodeo, serving as Chairman of the Rodeo Committee for over 20 years.  He was an active member of the Inman United Methodist Church and eventually began attending Word of Life Christian Center in O'Neill. Throughout his life he enjoyed hunting and fishing as well as taking his family on many wonderful camping vacations around the United States. He loved his hunting dogs.  He served as a member of the Nebraska Army National Guard.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years Linelle Tompkins Kelley of Inman; sons, Bruce and Carol Kelley of Vermillion, SD and  Brian Kelley of Fremont, NE; daughter, Carmen Druckenmiller of Decatur, NE; grandchildren, James and Rebecca Kelley of Vermillion, SD, Jack and Joshua Kelley of Fremont, NE and Jeremiah and Simon Druckenmiller of Decatur, NE; brother Don and Mary Kelley of Lincoln, NE; sister Kay and Avery Zediker of Sioux City, IA; brother in law Robert Davis of Inman, NE; cousin in law Dianne Kelley of Grand Island, NE; brother in law Neil and Ruth Tompkins of Inman, NE; sisters in law, Barbara Tompkins of Spokane, WA and Donna Tompkins of Grand Island, NE; as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

Ned was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Met Kelley; sister Ann Davis; Cousin Neal Kelley; grandson Connor Kelley; Nephew Shawn Kelley; niece Kami Davis Sholes; daughter in law Elise Malmberg Kelley; and brothers in law, Roger Tompkins and Allen Tompkins.