Michael A. (Mike) Kelley, 81, of Dubuque, Iowa, passed away June 23, 2026 due to becoming a supernova of spiritual magnificence, unable to be contained by earthly forces. In keeping with his wishes, a private family memorial service will be held at a later date. Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Mike was born on March 21, 1945, on the family farm outside of Kennett, MO, son of Paul and Mary (Blankinship) Kelley. He graduated from Kennett High School in 1963. With the aid of a National Merit scholarship, he attended the University of Cincinnati, graduating in 1968 with a BS degree in mechanical engineering. He was employed by John Deere Dubuque Works beginning in 1964 as a co-op student, and retired as a senior engineer in 1994. After retirement, he continued to work part-time at John Deere Dubuque on various projects as a Volt and Staff Mgmt employee for another nine years. He was last employed as a part-time courier driver for United Clinical Laboratories.

Mike met the love of his life, Phyllis McLaurin, while they were students at Kennett High School. They were united in marriage on June 11, 1967, at First Baptist Church in Kennett, a bond that will never be broken. After retirement, Mike and Phyllis enjoyed spending winters in Tucson with many friends, and traveling in their motorhome. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, and spent many happy mornings as the breakfast cook. Mike served as a volunteer groundskeeper at the Dubuque Arboretum, treasurer for the Pine Knoll HOA, a former volunteer tax preparer for the AARP Tax-Aide program, a former member of the board of directors of the Dubuque Rescue Mission, a former assistant scoutmaster and committee chairman of Boy Scout Troop 48, and a former deacon, usher, and bus driver for Third Presbyterian Church (now GracePoint Presbyterian).

He is survived by his wife Phyllis, three sons; Stephen (Megan) Kelley, of Chicago, IL; Christopher (Jenny) Kelley, of Asbury, IA, and David (Angela) Kelley of Englewood, CO; four grandsons; Orion Kelley of Chicago, IL, Sean and Liam Kelley of Asbury, IA, and Harrison Kelley, of Englewood, CO; five granddaughters; Caroline, Madeline, Maeve, and Linden Kelley, of Englewood, CO, and Lumen Kelley of Chicago; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Skip and Emma Gamel of Cape Girardeau, MO, and David and MaryAnn McLaurin of Mt. Vernon, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, William B. Kelley, and a daughter, Shannon Michelle Kelley.

Online condolences for the family may be left at www.egelhofsiegertcasper.com