Obituaries

John Wellington Kelley, age 33, formerly of St. Charles, Illinois, passed away peacefully in Shakopee, Minnesota, on September 1, 2026.
Born on June 19, 1993, in Chicago, Illinois, John was the beloved son of Dean and Kelly (Donahue) Kelley. John grew up in St. Charles, where he attended St. Charles East High School and graduated in 2012. An excellent student, John, went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the Farmer School of Business at Miami University in 2016.
At the time of his passing, John was an Operations Manager with Amazon in Minnesota. Prior to Amazon, he worked as an Operations Manager for FedEx, where he was respected for his intelligence, work ethic, and leadership abilities. Above all, John was a leader in both his academic and professional life.
Throughout his life, John pursued his interests with enthusiasm and passion. He was a student-athlete at St. Charles East High School, where he played football and was a captain of the team. At Miami, he was a proud member of the Sigma Pi fraternity. One of his favorite experiences while at Miami involved a 7-week European adventure disguised as a rigorous study abroad requirement. John loved friendly competition and enjoyed golf, wakeboarding, snowboarding, and many other outdoor activities. John also loved spending time at Glen Lake with family and friends.
He was endlessly curious and had a wide range of interests. He enjoyed politics, movies, technology, and current events. He built his own computer from scratch and took pride in having a letter published in The Wall Street Journal. Whether discussing sports, finance, technology, or life experiences, John could engage in thoughtful conversation on just about any topic.
Those who knew John will remember him most for his remarkable sense of humor, quick wit, and ability to light up a room. He could connect effortlessly with people from all walks of life. As a young man he engaged with adults with ease. As he grew older, he became a trusted source of guidance and encouragement to younger friends and family members. John possessed a rare gift for making others feel comfortable, valued, and understood. Quite simply, John was someone people gravitated toward.
John formed meaningful relationships throughout his life. He was fortunate to be surrounded by a wide and diverse circle of friends who loved him dearly. Many stories and memories will continue to be shared among those whose lives he touched, including the unforgettable adventures that often ended with the phrase, “I can’t believe we did that!”
John’s journey also included a commitment to recovery. Although addiction became part of his story, it never defined the man he was. He was a devoted son, brother, grandson, cousin, and friend whose intelligence, humor, generosity, loyalty, and genuine interest in others touched many lives. John became deeply connected to the recovery community in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area, and his experience gave him a unique compassion and understanding for others facing similar challenges. His life reminds us of the importance of compassion, understanding, and support for those navigating addiction and recovery.
John is survived by his loving sister, Katie Kelley, with whom he shared an especially close and meaningful bond; his mother, Kelly (Donahue) Kelley; his father, Dean Kelley; grandmother, Nancy Kelley; stepmother, Gloria Kelley; stepbrother, Jacob Bunce; and stepsister, Lexi Bunce Michels. He is also survived by many beloved family members, including his aunts, Erin Burns and Dr. Anne Weigt; his uncles, Jeb Burns and Lee Weigt; his first cousins, Conor and Thomas Burns and Eric and Anja Weigt; and his great-aunt, Pam Blank, along with many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Don Donahue and Dean Kelley II, and his grandmother, Sandra Donahue.
John leaves behind a legacy of laughter, friendship, leadership, curiosity, and love. His passing leaves a tremendous void in the hearts of all who knew him, but his memory will live through the many people he touched. John was one of a kind, and the stories, laughter, and memories he created will continue to bring people together for years to come.
We will all miss you, John. May your memory be a blessing, and may you rest in peace.
Memorial Service & Celebration of Life
A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, September 21, 2026, at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 2900 E. Main Street in St. Charles, Illinois. Immediately following the service, the family invites friends and loved ones to join them for a Celebration of Life at Eden Events, 1 Illinois Street, St. Charles from 3:00–7:00 p.m. All are welcome to come together to remember John, share stories, and celebrate his life.
In Lieu of Flowers
Donations may be made to John 33, 2250 Southwind Blvd, Bartlett, IL 60103 to the attention of Dean W. Kelley. John 33 is a charitable organization established to support addiction and recovery programs in the Fox Valley area and Minneapolis – St. Paul communities.

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