Reverend Omer Kelley, of Antigo, died Friday August 13, 2021, at Rosalia Gardens under the care of LeRoyer Hospice. He was 99 years old. He was born on July 13, 1922, in Madison, a son of Earl and Mae (Trost) Kelley.

At the time of his birth he was named Earl C. Kelley, Jr. He took the name Omer C. Kelly after becoming a member of the Franciscan Capuchin Order. Fr. Kelley attended St. Bernard Grade School, Madison, St. Lawrence High School Seminary, Mt. Calvary, where he became a member of the Capuchin Order in 1940.

He studied philosophy at Mary Immaculate House of Philosophy in Glencliff, New York, and theology at St. Anthony Friary in Marathon City. He was ordained June 3, 1949 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Marathon City by The Most Reverend John Treacy, Bishop, Diocese of LaCrosse. Following his ordination he studied theology at The Gregorian University in Rome, Italy where he earned a Licentiate in Theology in 1951.

Father Kelly's first assignment was as an assistant at Queen of Angels Parish in Harlem, NY, he then moved back to Wisconsin where he was appointed assistant at St. Elizabeth Parish in Milwaukee. Father Kelley held various appointments including professor of theology and liturgy at St. Anthony Seminary in Marathon, serving as a member of the Mission Band of the Capuchin Order, pastor at a parish in Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia, serving the American workers in the oil fields.

In 1977 he returned to Wisconsin to serve as Administrator at St. Wenceslaus Parish in Neva and Chaplain at Langlade Memorial Hospital in Antigo, a position he fulfilled until 2017.

In 1980 he incardinated into the Diocese of Green Bay and became Pastor of St. Wenceslaus Parish until he retired in 1995. He then moved to White Lake for 11 years and served as priest moderator for the SS James & St. Stainislaus Parish of White Lake and Langlade.

Fr. Kelley also served as Field Advocated for the Diocesan Marriage Tribunal and served a three year term on the Diocesan Presbyteral Council.

He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister, Joan Kelley; and a brother, John (Ann) Kelley.

A service of reception will be held on Wednesday at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church at 3 p.m. which will begin the visitation. The visitation will conclude with a parish wake service at 6 p.m.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, August 19, 2021, at 10 a.m. at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church with the Most Reverend David L. Ricken, Bishop of Green Bay, Celebrant.

Visitation on Thursday will be from 9 to 10 a.m. at the church.

Burial will take place in the parish cemetery.

A memorial in Fr. Kelley's memory has been established to St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church N5340 Church Road, Deerbrook, WI 54424 and the Catholic Foundation World Missions at P.O. Box 22128, Green Bay, WI 54305-2128.

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