Famous clown HAPPY KELLEMS,
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Obituaries
Harold Lee “Happy” Kellems, age 82, died February 9, 1987, at his home, in Evansville, IN. Harold was born February 6, 1905, in Grandview, IN, to John and Elizabeth Kellems.
Happy left us to join his beloved Lillian. They will be entertaining their friends and especially their “kids,” as they have for so many years.
Harold began his entertainment career at a home town minstrel show, and then he made his professional debut with Al G. Fields Minstrels, where he became an endman and dancer. He was a tramp-character clown, vaudeville performer, and a minstrel performer of versatile talents. He was considered one of the greatest of his time. In 1933, he developed a comical character, which brought laughter from audiences throughout the country.
He toured with Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, Clyde Beatty Circus, Cole Bros. Sells-Floto and many other circuses. Happy was inducted into the 2002 Clown Hall of Fame. Harold was a member of the Reed Masonic Lodge. There will be a void at our Shrine Circus and it will be difficult to fill, but Happy would be the first to say, “The show must go on.”
Happy will be missed, but we may remember the words he used when concluding his performance, “Laugh as long as you live; Live as long as you laugh.”
He is preceded in death by his wife, Lillian, and his parents.
He is survived by his daughter, Lee Kellems, niece, Emma Schwartz of Evansville.
A service of remembrance was held at Boone Funeral Home, 400 Chandler Avenue, Evansville, IN, 47713,(812) 437-5300 with Reverend J. Howard Clayman officiating. Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery.
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Obituaries
Harold Lee “Happy” Kellems, age 82, died February 9, 1987, at his home, in Evansville, IN. Harold was born February 6, 1905, in Grandview, IN, to John and Elizabeth Kellems.
Happy left us to join his beloved Lillian. They will be entertaining their friends and especially their “kids,” as they have for so many years.
Harold began his entertainment career at a home town minstrel show, and then he made his professional debut with Al G. Fields Minstrels, where he became an endman and dancer. He was a tramp-character clown, vaudeville performer, and a minstrel performer of versatile talents. He was considered one of the greatest of his time. In 1933, he developed a comical character, which brought laughter from audiences throughout the country.
He toured with Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, Clyde Beatty Circus, Cole Bros. Sells-Floto and many other circuses. Happy was inducted into the 2002 Clown Hall of Fame. Harold was a member of the Reed Masonic Lodge. There will be a void at our Shrine Circus and it will be difficult to fill, but Happy would be the first to say, “The show must go on.”
Happy will be missed, but we may remember the words he used when concluding his performance, “Laugh as long as you live; Live as long as you laugh.”
He is preceded in death by his wife, Lillian, and his parents.
He is survived by his daughter, Lee Kellems, niece, Emma Schwartz of Evansville.
A service of remembrance was held at Boone Funeral Home, 400 Chandler Avenue, Evansville, IN, 47713,(812) 437-5300 with Reverend J. Howard Clayman officiating. Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Famous clown HAPPY KELLEMS,
-
Obituaries
Harold Lee “Happy” Kellems, age 82, died February 9, 1987, at his home, in Evansville, IN. Harold was born February 6, 1905, in Grandview, IN, to John and Elizabeth Kellems.
Happy left us to join his beloved Lillian. They will be entertaining their friends and especially their “kids,” as they have for so many years.
Harold began his entertainment career at a home town minstrel show, and then he made his professional debut with Al G. Fields Minstrels, where he became an endman and dancer. He was a tramp-character clown, vaudeville performer, and a minstrel performer of versatile talents. He was considered one of the greatest of his time. In 1933, he developed a comical character, which brought laughter from audiences throughout the country.
He toured with Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, Clyde Beatty Circus, Cole Bros. Sells-Floto and many other circuses. Happy was inducted into the 2002 Clown Hall of Fame. Harold was a member of the Reed Masonic Lodge. There will be a void at our Shrine Circus and it will be difficult to fill, but Happy would be the first to say, “The show must go on.”
Happy will be missed, but we may remember the words he used when concluding his performance, “Laugh as long as you live; Live as long as you laugh.”
He is preceded in death by his wife, Lillian, and his parents.
He is survived by his daughter, Lee Kellems, niece, Emma Schwartz of Evansville.
A service of remembrance was held at Boone Funeral Home, 400 Chandler Avenue, Evansville, IN, 47713,(812) 437-5300 with Reverend J. Howard Clayman officiating. Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery.
-
Obituaries
Harold Lee “Happy” Kellems, age 82, died February 9, 1987, at his home, in Evansville, IN. Harold was born February 6, 1905, in Grandview, IN, to John and Elizabeth Kellems.
Happy left us to join his beloved Lillian. They will be entertaining their friends and especially their “kids,” as they have for so many years.
Harold began his entertainment career at a home town minstrel show, and then he made his professional debut with Al G. Fields Minstrels, where he became an endman and dancer. He was a tramp-character clown, vaudeville performer, and a minstrel performer of versatile talents. He was considered one of the greatest of his time. In 1933, he developed a comical character, which brought laughter from audiences throughout the country.
He toured with Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, Clyde Beatty Circus, Cole Bros. Sells-Floto and many other circuses. Happy was inducted into the 2002 Clown Hall of Fame. Harold was a member of the Reed Masonic Lodge. There will be a void at our Shrine Circus and it will be difficult to fill, but Happy would be the first to say, “The show must go on.”
Happy will be missed, but we may remember the words he used when concluding his performance, “Laugh as long as you live; Live as long as you laugh.”
He is preceded in death by his wife, Lillian, and his parents.
He is survived by his daughter, Lee Kellems, niece, Emma Schwartz of Evansville.
A service of remembrance was held at Boone Funeral Home, 400 Chandler Avenue, Evansville, IN, 47713,(812) 437-5300 with Reverend J. Howard Clayman officiating. Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery.
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