Rev. Harvey P. Kelley, Former Ardena Baptist Church Pastor, At 80

HOWELL, NJ — Five days a week, he delivered the mail in Howell and Farmingdale. On Sundays, he delivered sermons as the beloved pastor of Ardena Baptist Church.

The Rev. Harvey P. Kelley, who served as pastor for more than 40 years, died Saturday, April 21, 2018 at his home in Howell, surrounded by his family. He was 80 years old.

Rev. Kelley was voted pastor of Ardena Baptist Church by the membership in 1965 and served until he retired in 2006, ministering with a special place in his heart for the youth groups and Vacation Bible School. A true man of the people, Rev. Kelley also retired as a letter carrier for the United States Post Office in Farmingdale and Howell.

He was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania, and raised in Isle, Pennsylvania, and lived in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania before leaving to study at The King’s College in Briarcliff Manor, New York. While at school, he worked nights at a hospital in Tarrytown, New York, and that is where he met his wife, Doris. He graduated from The King’s College with a bachelor's degree and received his divinity degree from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. His first appointment as a pastor was at Dividing Creek Baptist Church in Dividing Creek, New Jersey, south of Millville not far from the Delaware Bay.

Rev. Kelley enjoyed spending time outdoors and relished in the time he spent being “Papa” to his grandchildren.

Rev. Kelley was predeceased by his son, Shawn Paul Kelley; twin brother, Harold David Kelley; brother, Fred Kelley; daughter-in-law, June P. Kelley; and brother-in-law, Dennis Scott. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Doris Ann Kelley; children, Harold Kelley of Farmingdale, Robert Kelley and his wife, Lynn of Jackson, and Shannon Kelley-Barkalow and her husband, Robert Barkalow of Farmingdale; seven grandchildren, Zachary Paul Kelley, Megan Paige Kelley, Erin Elizabeth Kelley, Blaise Charles Kelley, Shelby Paige Barkalow, Ian Robert Barkalow, and Sophie Piper Barkalow; sister, Judy Scott, and many nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

A visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township, NJ on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 pp.m. to 9 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his 11 a.m. funeral service on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at the Ardena Baptist Church, 593 Adelphia Road, Howell. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ardena Baptist Church VBS Program, 593 Adelphia Road, Freehold 07728 or the Michael J. Fox Foundation, Donation Processing, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741. For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.

Photo provided by Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home