Obituary for Aubrey Kelle

Aubrey Fred Kelle – Veteran

(August 11, 1925 – March 8, 2017)

Aubrey F. Kelle of Braman, Oklahoma, passed away quietly on Wednesday, the 8th of March, 2017, at the age of 91.

Aubrey was born on August 11, 1925, in the Blackwell Hospital to Walter H. and Martha Reinking Kelle. He was the eldest of four children and the only one born in a hospital because his parents believed the house they lived in at the time was unfit for birthing of a baby. He attended Blackwell Public Schools graduating in 1943. He loved sports and played basketball and tennis even participating in the state singles championship. He served in the Navy on the USS Roi during World War II. After the war, he went on to attend the University of Oklahoma. While wrestling in intramurals, the OU coach recruited him and he eventually earned a scholarship. He then followed his father into the oil jobber business, working for his dad and uncle at Kelle Brothers. The company later changed its name to Kelle Oil Company and he was coproprietor with Eva Nell Kelle Grell. He retired from Kelle Oil Company in 1985. He then went on to become the true definition of an independent oil operator. He owned several oil wells with various partners and was the designated pumper, water hauler, and accountant. He exemplified what it meant to be honest, ethical, forthright, compassionate and hardworking.

He married Marjorie Hazaleus on May 17, 1958, enjoying 50 years of marriage. They raised five children that all attended Braman Public Schools. Aubrey was committed to the Braman community. He served as city councilman, mayor, volunteer fireman, and even the high school football announcer. He and Marjorie followed all of the Braman sporting events, even if their children were not playing. He also loved OU football and attended the NCAA Championship game in 2000.

Aubrey is survived by a sister, Leona Bell of Moberly, Missouri; five children, daughter, Ann Henley and husband Robert of Mesa, AZ, son, Steve and wife Kristi of Ponca City, son, Robert and wife Pam of Dewey, son, Reese of Mesquite, NV, and daughter, Marta Henderson and husband Lee J of Houston, TX. He also leaves behind ten grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren; Kelle and husband Jeff Hohl with children Kaitlyn and Ryan; Cheryl and husband Craig Rose with children Alex, Claire and Grace; John Kelle and wife Melissa with children Sagan, Gavin and Averi; Rhonda Line and husband John with children Luke and Lauren; Brett Spencer and wife Tara with children Kristen and Kordell; Kyle Kelle and wife Lillian with children Kobe and Kaden; Reesa Johns and husband Jeremy with children Bronson and Rowdy; and Taylor, Aaron and Will Henderson.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife; his parents; and two sisters, Maxine Nixon and Verna McKenzie.

Memorial services are scheduled for March 22, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Blackwell, Oklahoma, with Rev. Ned Moerbe officiating. Burial will follow at the Braman Cemetery. A come and go gathering for family and friends will be held at the Braman Town Hall on Tuesday, March 21st from 6-8 p.m.

Honorary pallbearers will be Mark Arnold, Craig Day, Dale DeWitt, Herb Lucas, Ron Shoffner, Jim Curl, Carl Parcher and Jared Grell.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in his memory to the Trinity Lutheran Church or the Braman Cemetery Association in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 West Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.