Ilene T. Kelly

Ilene Theresa Boyer was born May 19, 1933 in Aurora, Kansas.  She passed away at her home with all of her four children at her bedside in Belleville on February 8, 2023 at the age of 89.

Ilene was the 4^th of 10 children born to Edward and Delia (Breault) Boyer. They moved to the rural Belleville area in 1943, where she attended Bowling Green country school.  When she left the farm, she worked as a clerk at Duckwalls. She quit working to raise her family, and later returned to work at Duckwalls, until the store closed in 2004. Ilene enjoyed many hobbies, but she was an avid bowler. She enjoyed weekly bowling with close friends and sister-in-laws. She always looked forward to State bowling tournament, and also made National Bowling tournaments in Reno Nevada a couple of times. She loved spending time with her family, gathering at “the farm” for family picnics with her sister, brothers, and many nieces and nephews.  She loved to travel and made several trips with her family. She especially enjoyed Deadwood, Colorado, Branson, and Prairie Band. She loved attending her children’s, grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s sporting events football, baseball, basketball and rodeo’s. If she couldn’t attend, she would enjoy watching videos that her family would send her. She loved to do puzzles and enjoyed feeding the squirrels and birds in her backyard. She also loved her plants and flowers. Saturday evening she loved listening to Daniel O’Donnell, Lary’s Country Diner, and Molly B’s Polka.

Ilene is preceded in death by her parents: Edward and Delia Boyer. Husbands: Marvin Blackburn, Richard Zukowske, and Billy Kelly. Infant son: Richard J. Blackburn. Son-in-law: Lyle Elliott. Sister and spouse: Hazel Prather and Jim Prather. Brothers and spouse: Leland and Marilyn & Iris Boyer, Paul and Cecelia Boyer, Eddie and Peggy & Emily Boyer, Duane and Carol Boyer, Junior and Beverly Boyer, Sister-in-Law: June Boyer. In-Laws: Freta and Charles Cornett, Erma and Glen Cornett, Donna Holmes, Lavon Boman, Edward and Betty Blackburn, Dale Blackburn, Ralph and Louise Zukowske, Leona and Micky Ferguson, Francis and Glen Sterba, Fern Sterba.

She is survived by children: Marcia and husband George T. Hendricks, Marlene Skipton, Mary Elliott, Mark and wife Dianna Zukowske. Grandchildren and great grandchildren: Michael and wife Megan – McCoy and Macy Hendricks; Ashley and her husband David – Xavier, Crichton, Shepard Hughes; Tia and her husband Trey Collins –Faith, Sammie, Caryn, Kayla, and Jay; Larz and his wife Jessica – Hayzen, Hadlee, and Harper Elliott; Tamika and son Garren Nutsch and her fiancé Cody James, Kaden Elliott, Kashaya Zukowske and significant other Tee Robinson.

Ilene is also survived by brothers:  Eldon Boyer, Raymond and his wife Susan Boyer, John and his wife Linda Boyer. Rosalyn Blackburn, Warren Holmes, Delores Boman, and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Memorial Services will be held Friday February 17^th, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home in Belleville.

Visitation will be Thursday, February 16^th from 1 pm- 8 pm, with Rosary / Vigil Services at 6:30 p.m., at the funeral home. The family will greet friends following the Rosary.

Memorials are requested to support the High Banks Hall of Fame Museum, Church People Concerned to benefit Meals on Wheels, or the Rocky Pond Christmas Lights. Donations to be sent in care of the funeral home.

Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home is assisting Ilene’s family with these arrangements.