August 31, 1944 - September 12, 2024
Service
Tuesday, September 24th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church
Jerome Michael Kelbley, 80, of Westerville, Ohio passed away in a tragic accident on September 12, 2024.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Carol Kelbley; infant brothers, Jacob and Jerard; infant sister, Jean Marie; and brother, James Kelbley, all of Tiffin, Ohio.
Jerry is survived by his only child, Elizabeth Kelbley Knapp, of Westerville, Ohio.
Grandchildren, Olivia, Asa, and Zara Knapp from Westerville, Ohio; Joseph (Elizabeth) Knapp from Grove City, Ohio; and Jacob (Lauren) Knapp from Hilliard, Ohio.
Brothers and sisters-in-law, John (Jan) Kelbley, of Zanesville, Ohio, Joe (Rheyma) Kelbley, of Fostoria, Ohio, and Jeff (Sandy) Kelbley, of Westerville, Ohio.
Jerry was a 1962 Hopewell Loudon High School graduate. He was a member of the baseball team.
He enlisted in the United States Navy in July of 1962. He traveled throughout the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Southern Europe before being honorably discharged in 1965.
He attended Ohio University and enjoyed the "best seven years" of school, graduating with a bachelor's degree in Education.
Jerry taught industrial technology for nine years at Carey High School and was president of the Carey Education Association for 3 of those years.
In the summer of 1979, he moved to Westerville and took a teaching position at Westerville City Schools. He taught Industrial Technology at Walnut Springs and Blendon Middle Schools and eventually taught electronics, woodshop, drafting, and photography at Westerville South High School. He retired from teaching in the summer of 1997 after completing 27 years in the classroom.
While at Westerville South, Jerry was an assistant baseball coach to William "Bill" Sadler for two seasons. This experience, he always said, "helped to shape" the coach he would become.
In 1980, Jerry became the head softball coach of the Westerville South Wildcats.
During his tenure, the Wildcat softball team compiled:
10 Consecutive District Championships,
11 total District Championships
12 OCC Championships
4 Division I State Semi-Final appearances
1 OHSAA Division I State Runner-Up
When Kelbley reached 500 wins in 2007, he said, "When you reach a milestone, you think about how it came about. You can't do that as an individual; you have to have a lot of others who contribute..."
He retired from softball after 37 seasons in 2017 with a record of 636 - 281, making him the fourth-winningest softball coach in OHSAA history.
Jerry was so much more than just a coach or teacher. He loved to learn and often would collaborate with his friends on one of his many "projects". He led a life with an innate curiosity about the world around him.
Jerry Kelbley was many things to many people, but he often told Elizabeth, "I am only your Dad". He was a wonderful father and grandfather. He devoted time every day to either Elizabeth or her children. They all knew they could rely on "Papa".
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, September 24th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church 313 North State Street, Westerville, OH 43082.
Celebration of Life
Sunday, October 6, 2024, 3pm – 5pm.
Westerville South High School – Gymnasium
303 S Otterbein Ave, Westerville, OH 43081
In lieu of flowers for the Mass and the Celebration of Life - donations may be made to a Go Fund Me set up for Elizabeth and her children, Olivia, Asa and Zara https://gofund.me/159a306b
Or to The German Village Society in Jerry’s name. https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E342185&id=21
A private family burial will take place at a later date.
Condolences
Lynn Apple, Mt Vernon HS softball coach - Sep 25, 2024
So sorry to hear of Jerry’s passing! He was a great guy and coach. He and I had a healthy rivalry during our softball coaching years. He will be missed
Dinah Geschke - Sep 23, 2024
We were sorry to hear of your great loss. Kelbley was a great coach to our daughter who was fortunate to play in the State Championship game. Our City will miss his friendly face and the talent he shared with many. May you find peace knowing he was cared about by so many. Gary & Dinah Geschke
Chris & Barbara Graves - Sep 22, 2024
So sorry we will be out of town but know that our sorrow is great. It is like losing a member of the family. A knock at the back door, a glass of iced tea signaled a chewing of the fat or a lesson in tool use. He is greatly missed
Tom White - Sep 22, 2024
So sorry to hear of Jerry’s passing. I new him first as an umpire. He had his way to influence you in a sportsman like manor. After he retired his side busniness of ball diamond maintenance and rejuvenation was helpful to me as the lead umpire at the Liebert Corporation diamond. My last contact with Jerry was at Huntington Park where I was an usher. He always greeted me with a smile!😁 RIP
Les Randolph - Sep 22, 2024
Elizabeth, you had a great dad. I am so sorry for your loss. As time goes by his memory will be a great comfort. He will always be with, only in a different way. Over the 40 plus years I knew Jerry he always met me with a smile and a firm handshake. He was quick to ask me about my daughters and to share news about Elizabeth and his grandkids. He will be missed by so many.
Mary - Sep 21, 2024
You have my deepest sympathy. I graduated with Jerry at Hopewell-Loudon High School. He will certainly be missed.
Ann Napoletan - Sep 19, 2024
Sending my deepest sympathy to Jerry's family, his many friends, and the countless girls who were lucky enough to have him as a coach. Jerry's coaching was about so much more than softball; yes, he created outstanding players, but he also helped to shape wonderful humans. He was just that kind of coach. I'm very thankful our family was part of the Kelbley era at Westerville South. We are holding our memories especially close right now. Jerry, I hope you know how loved and admired you were. You will remain in our hearts forever as a great coach, dear friend, and the architect of the WSHS softball legacy.
Roger and Irene Muncy - Sep 19, 2024
We were very saddened to hear of Coach Kelbley’s death. All of. our daughters knew Coach. Roger and Irene admired his influence and character building. His legacy will be remembered.l