Lillian Kellems, wife of famed circus clown, Harold "Happy" Kellems died at 10 a.m., November 27, 1986, at St. Mary’s Medical Center. She was 76. She died after an illness of about a year.
In her early years, Lillian sang with Paul Whitman Band. While in Fort Myers, Florida, Lillian tried out for the role of bride in a minstrel show that included a wedding scene. Harold Kellems was the producer and not only did she get the role, she got the producer, too. When anyone saw Lillian, she was always with “Happy.” Lillian and Happy worked together in the first clown act in Santa Claus land, when it first opened up. Every year, they were both an intricate part of the Hadi Shrine Circus. She worked with Happy in show business for more than 34 year. Their love grew stronger each year.
She was a member of Washington Avenue Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband, H.L. “Happy” Kellems, a daughter, Lee Kellems, two brothers, Lawrence McCurdy of Oklahoma City and Vance Hayley of Riverside, CA.
She is preceded in death by her parents and an aunt, Edna Long, of Oklahoma City, OK.
Funeral Services were held at Boone Funeral Home-Downtown, 400 Chandler Avenue, Evansville, IN, 47713, (812) 437-5300 with Reverend J. Howard Clayman officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Father Lester McCurdy
In her early years, Lillian sang with Paul Whitman Band. While in Fort Myers, Florida, Lillian tried out for the role of bride in a minstrel show that included a wedding scene. Harold Kellems was the producer and not only did she get the role, she got the producer, too. When anyone saw Lillian, she was always with “Happy.” Lillian and Happy worked together in the first clown act in Santa Claus land, when it first opened up. Every year, they were both an intricate part of the Hadi Shrine Circus. She worked with Happy in show business for more than 34 year. Their love grew stronger each year.
She was a member of Washington Avenue Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband, H.L. “Happy” Kellems, a daughter, Lee Kellems, two brothers, Lawrence McCurdy of Oklahoma City and Vance Hayley of Riverside, CA.
She is preceded in death by her parents and an aunt, Edna Long, of Oklahoma City, OK.
Funeral Services were held at Boone Funeral Home-Downtown, 400 Chandler Avenue, Evansville, IN, 47713, (812) 437-5300 with Reverend J. Howard Clayman officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Father Lester McCurdy
Lillian Kellems, wife of famed circus clown, Harold "Happy" Kellems died at 10 a.m., November 27, 1986, at St. Mary’s Medical Center. She was 76. She died after an illness of about a year.
In her early years, Lillian sang with Paul Whitman Band. While in Fort Myers, Florida, Lillian tried out for the role of bride in a minstrel show that included a wedding scene. Harold Kellems was the producer and not only did she get the role, she got the producer, too. When anyone saw Lillian, she was always with “Happy.” Lillian and Happy worked together in the first clown act in Santa Claus land, when it first opened up. Every year, they were both an intricate part of the Hadi Shrine Circus. She worked with Happy in show business for more than 34 year. Their love grew stronger each year.
She was a member of Washington Avenue Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband, H.L. “Happy” Kellems, a daughter, Lee Kellems, two brothers, Lawrence McCurdy of Oklahoma City and Vance Hayley of Riverside, CA.
She is preceded in death by her parents and an aunt, Edna Long, of Oklahoma City, OK.
Funeral Services were held at Boone Funeral Home-Downtown, 400 Chandler Avenue, Evansville, IN, 47713, (812) 437-5300 with Reverend J. Howard Clayman officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Father Lester McCurdy
In her early years, Lillian sang with Paul Whitman Band. While in Fort Myers, Florida, Lillian tried out for the role of bride in a minstrel show that included a wedding scene. Harold Kellems was the producer and not only did she get the role, she got the producer, too. When anyone saw Lillian, she was always with “Happy.” Lillian and Happy worked together in the first clown act in Santa Claus land, when it first opened up. Every year, they were both an intricate part of the Hadi Shrine Circus. She worked with Happy in show business for more than 34 year. Their love grew stronger each year.
She was a member of Washington Avenue Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband, H.L. “Happy” Kellems, a daughter, Lee Kellems, two brothers, Lawrence McCurdy of Oklahoma City and Vance Hayley of Riverside, CA.
She is preceded in death by her parents and an aunt, Edna Long, of Oklahoma City, OK.
Funeral Services were held at Boone Funeral Home-Downtown, 400 Chandler Avenue, Evansville, IN, 47713, (812) 437-5300 with Reverend J. Howard Clayman officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Father Lester McCurdy
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
