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Cathryn "Peggy" J (Smith) Kelley

October 27, 1933 ~ December 12, 2025 (age 92)

Cathryn (“Peggy”) J. Kelley, 92, of South Bend, IN., passed away on Friday, December 12,2025 at her daughter’s residence after a lengthy illness. She was born in South Bend on October 27,1933 to Bernard F. and Dorothy L. (Austin) Smith, both of whom preceded her in death. On November 14, 1959, Cathryn married Richard R. Kelley. Richard preceded her in death on September 14, 2018.

Cathryn is survived by her children: Richard (Kerry) Kelley Jr of Medina, Ohio, Susan Kelley of Mishawaka, Melinda (Kirt) Sechrist of Lee, Florida and Christine (John) Whiteman of Osceola. Also surviving are eight grandchildren: Brittany (Jeremy) Stubbs, Erik Kelley, Brandy (Joshua) Herriman, Jonna (Jeremy) Becraft, Anthony Whiteman, Brianna (Chad) Bjorke, Kirt (Andrina) Sechrist, and Cody Sechrist; and five great-grandchildren: Colin Stubbs and Laney, Everett, Madelyn and Kathryn Becraft.

Cathryn graduated from South Bend Central High School. She served as an officer in the Salvation Army in Nebraska at a home for unwed mothers in the 1950s. She retired from South Bend Osteopathic Hospital in 1987 after 17 years of service where she worked as a Supply Technician. She also loved studying the Bible and was a founding church member at Berean Bible Church in South Bend. She loved and faithfully served her God and Savior Jesus Christ. She is now rejoicing with her Lord and Savior in Heaven. Peggy was always friendly and never knew a stranger. She had a servant heart, always looking for someone else she could help. She spent her life socializing and enjoying fellowship with others. In her final 3 years she spent a lot of time at Milton House in South Bend where she enjoyed playing games, doing puzzles and helping others whenever she could. She was known for her exuberant kindness that uplifted everyone she met and left a legacy of love and companionship that will forever be felt by all that knew her.

Funeral services for Cathryn will be on Thursday, December 18 at 1:00 p.m. at the Palmer Funeral Home – Bubb Chapel, 3910 North Main Street, Mishawaka where a visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. until service time at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow the services at Fairview Cemetery in Mishawaka.

Online condolences can be made at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.

Services

Visitation

Thursday
December 18, 2025
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Palmer Funeral Home - Bubb Chapel
3910 N. Main Street
Mishawaka, IN 46545

Funeral Service

Thursday
December 18, 2025
1:00 PM
Palmer Funeral Home - Bubb Chapel
3910 N. Main Street
Mishawaka, IN 46545

Burial Immediately Following

Thursday
December 18, 2025
Fairview Cemetery
1415 N. Main Street
Mishawaka, IN 46545

Added 12/13/2025 1616 GMS

https://www.palmerfuneralhomes.com/obituary/CathrynPeggy-Kelley