Peter W. Kelly, 80, of Belvidere, died Saturday, August 8, 2008 in Anam Care Center following a long illness. He was born November 21, 1927 in Belvidere, Illlinois, the son of Horace and Bridget (Loy) Kelly and he attended Belvidere Schools. Pete received a degree in mechanical engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology and a masters degree in engineering from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Pete married Mabel "Mitzi" Raddant in Shawano, Wisconsin on September 14, 1952. He briefly lived in Morristown, New Jersey, while working for Bell Labs. After living in Rockford, he and Mitzi moved to Boone County in 1968. Peter worked for 30 years in the machine development engineering department of the Barber-Coleman Company. In July, 1987, he established Orion Engineering Company where he designed, built and sold numerically controlled grinding wheel dressing machines. Peter was a member of numerous engineering societies and enjoyed traveling. He and Mitzi had many adventurous trips in the U.S. and other countries. He was a devoted husband and family man. Pete is survived by his wife, Mitzi; daughter, Kathleen (Lavern) Njos, Belvidere; two sons, Dan Kelly, Rockford; and James (Judy) Kelly, West Chicago, Illinois. He enjoyed his grandchildren, Shane Kelly and Cody Njos of Belvidere and Audrey, Michelle and Michael Kelly of West Chicago. He leaves one brother, George (Barbara) Kelly, Belvidere and many nieces and nephews. Pete was predeceased by his parents, a brother, John Kelly and sister, Maureen (George) Flemming.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name are preferred to Anam Care or Heartland Hospice.