Kenneth Daniel Kelleher's Obituary
We lost a fiercely loving family man, friend, and loyal Democrat when Ken passed away on September 1, 2025. Staying true to the motto, “Comet Strong,” Ken held two bouts of cancer at bay before his body just didn’t have the strength for Round Three.
Ken was born on November 3,1952 to Francis and Dolores (nee Light) Kelleher. Ken was a lifelong resident of Amherst, graduating from Marion L. Steele in 1971. Ken excelled in both baseball and football. He was a member of the 1969 Southwest Conference championship football team. He was co-captain of the 1970 team, earning many awards, including All Conference Defensive Linebacker and Plain Dealer Dream Team. Ken was recruited by a number of colleges but, due to his mother’s illness, decided to stay close to home and accepted a full scholarship to Akron University.
Ken graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education and spent three years teaching and coaching within Lorain County, including his alma mater. Ken was then accepted into the Air Traffic Control Specialist program, training in Oklahoma City. In 1979 Ken was hired at the Oberlin Center and was a proud member of the PATCO union. In 1981, PATCO went on strike, asking for better pay and working conditions. As a member, Ken was fired by President Reagan. Ken felt very strongly about the strike and was willing to lose his job, rather than his integrity.
In 1987, Ken was hired as a Democratic appointee to the Lorain County Board of Elections, eventually holding the position of Assistant Director. Ken also served as Treasurer for the Lorain County Democratic Party, as well as Precinct Committeeman. In 2008, Ken was appointed by Governor Ted Strickland as Region 7 Director for the Ohio Lottery. Ken held that position until he was “retired” by Governor John Kasich in 2011. Ken came out of retirement to work part time as a Pre-Sentence Investigator for the Lorain County Adult Probation department until his final retirement in 2021.
Ken always felt he had a responsibility for community service. He served as a council member for Amherst’s second ward, an advisor for the Lorain County Young Democrats’ organization, manager/coach for CYO football, and the Amherst Athletic Association Little League. Ken also volunteered delivering groceries for the Lorain County Office on Aging.
Ken married Mary Beth (nee Reese) on Friday, November 13, 1987. They always felt every Friday the 13th was their lucky day. Ken’s son, Brendan, was born in 1985, and Ken and Mary’s daughter, Kaitlin, was born in 1991.
Fun Facts: Ken shot two holes in one, and witnessed his son, Brendan, also scoring an Ace. One of Ken’s proudest moments was when Kaitlin graduated from Baldwin Wallace and was hired as an Intervention Specialist with Elyria City Schools. Some of Ken’s favorites: The tater tots at The Feve, Dick Butkus of the Chicago Bears, the movie, “Young Frankenstein,” gardening, antiques, and decorating. Ken was also the best “cabana boy” for the girls’ only pool parties. He loved any music by Joni Mitchell, Linda Ronstadt, and Bob Dylan.
Ken is survived by his wife Mary, son Brendan, daughter Kaitlin (Jake Kestler), brother Michael (Alice) Kelleher, brothers-in-law Olan (Veronica) Reese, Esq., Dr. Christopher (Christine) Reese, and sister-in-law Meredith (Rich) Muccio. Ken is also survived by four nieces, one great niece, four nephews, two great nephews, and several cousins. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, brother Ronald Kelleher, nephew Christian Kelleher, and mother and father-in-law, Olan and Virginia Reese.
Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, September 6, 2025 from 10:00 am until 12:00 noon at Dovin & Reber Jones Funeral and Cremation Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Road, Amherst, 44001. A small gathering will follow the visitation.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
“I will endure a lifetime of missing you, for the privilege of loving you all of yours.”
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