Carl J. "Kelly" Carlson

Carl J. “Kelly” Carlson, 102, of Peru, (formerly of McNabb) passed away on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at Liberty Village Hawthorne Inn, Peru.

Service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at Dysart – Cofoid Funeral Chapel with military honors following the service.   Pastor Bob Kinas will officiate. Burial will be in First Lutheran Cemetery II, Varna, IL. 

Visitation will be from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at the funeral home.

Carl was born on October 4, 1919 in Magnolia to Albert and Mary (Smith) Carlson.  He married the love of his life, Helen M. Peterson on February 20, 1941 in Varna. 

He served in the United States Army 89^th infantry European Theater 1944-1946, Patton’s Army and was MP when he was discharged.

He was an agent for Standard Oil for 35 years until he retired.  After retirement, he and Helen spent winters in Florida at Sun & Lake for 30 years.  He was one of Edgewood golf course founders with a good friend Ken Peterson.  Kelly loved to play golf.  He was on the school board when it consolidated to be Putnam County School District, he was a member of Emmaus Lutheran Church and was also on the church council.  Kelly was a life member of Magnolia American Legion Post #254.

Survivors include two sons, Donald (Patty) Carlson of The Villages, FL and Philip (Sherrie) Carlson of Granville; one daughter, Christine (Vaun) Meinhold of Streator; daughter-in-law, Kalynn Carlson of Aurora; 10 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Helen; one sister, Ella Mobeck; one brother,Wallace Carlson; one son, John Carlson; one grandchild, Angela Carlson.

Pallbearers will be his grandchildren, Dean Carlson, Dawn Williams, Wendy Harris, Melanie Hundley, Krista Carlson, Tyson Meinhold, Lance Meinhold, Brian Carlson, Tim Carlson and Brett Carlson.

Memorials may be made to Putnam County Community Center.

Online condolences may be made to his family at wwwdcfunerals.com

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