Logan County Circuit Clerk Mary Kelley and Coroner Bob Thomas retire
 

[December 01, 2020] 

At the Logan County Board meeting on Tuesday, November 24, Logan County Circuit Clerk Mary Kelley and Logan County Coroner Robert “Bob” Thomas were recognized for their years of service. Both retired with the end of November.

In resolutions written by Logan County Board member David Hepler, he described what Kelley and Thomas accomplished during their years working for the county.

Board member Annette Welch presented each one with the resolution and a decorative cup.

Resolution for Mary Kelley

On January 2, 1979 a young and most pleasant lady, now known as Mary Kelley began working for Logan County. During her tenure, with the Circuit Clerk’s office, Kelley worked under three talented and dedicated clerks: Judy Morrow, Carla Bender and Susan Maxheimer.

Early in Kelley’s career, records were maintained manually, and even relayed anecdotally on the remembrance of area attorneys and judges. Kelley was an integral part of the transition from manual to electronic record keeping and court documentation.

In 2009, Kelley felt that her 30 years of experience in the legal arena working under outstanding clerks and with equally distinguished member of the Bar qualified her to seek the office of Circuit Clerk.
 

On December 1, 2010, Mary Kelley was sworn in as the Circuit Clerk of Logan County having received the overwhelming support of voters in the General Election.

Kelley continued to give back to her profession these past ten years. Kelley’s sense of civic duty has included her serving in professional affiliations of the IAOCC office [and] IAOCC President in 2016. She also informally served as a mentor for the new clerks.

Among Kelley’s many other accomplishments, she generated the first e-filing in the State of Illinois October 31, 2016.

Kelley always worked well with the County Board and other office holders. In countless informal conversations with several judges, area attorneys, states attorneys and other members of the legal community, were effusive in their praise of Kelley and her entire staff.

Kelley’s civic duty was not confined to the courthouse. “Mary sightings” were common in the early morning when she and her daughters were beautifying our downtown by taking care of flowers and greenery adorning the square.

Exceeding all the above in importance and passion has been Kelley’s raising of her daughter, Amy and Angela, who have matured into everything a parent could hope for in a child.

None of what has been accomplished on a personal, professional or family level would have been possible without the support, confidence, sacrifice and devotion of Bruce, Mary’s husband of 32 years.

Mary’s favorite quote is from Abraham Lincoln: “It is not the years in a life, it is the life in the years.” Her own characteristic quote is, “Every day is a new adventure and I always look forward to it.”

If anyone deserves the “life in the years” and a “new adventure everyday” it is our beloved Mary.

The Logan County Board thanks Mary Kelley for the 40 years of public service and commends her on setting an example not only to her fellow clerk, but also every elected official. We genuinely hope that new adventures await her as she transitions into private life and wish her the very best on the retirement she so richly deserves.

When Welch asked Kelley if she would like to say a few words, Kelley thanked the board, saying she had been very fortunate because the jobs with the county are very good jobs. She said, “I hope I have served as well as I totally intended.”

Resolution for Robert “Bob” Thomas

In 2004, a vacancy occurred in the office of the Logan County Coroner.

At the time, Bob Thomas was completing a distinguished career in Emergency Services and was the Chief of the Lincoln Rural Fire Department.

During Thomas’ firefighting career, he worked part time for ESDA, helping set the stage for the current EMA.

Thomas felt his well-honed administrative skills as chief, including careful budgeting, management of staff and a seamless coordination with other first responders would prepare him for managing another office.

In November 2004, voters agreed and elected Thomas. He was sworn in as coroner in December 2004.

Almost immediately, Thomas reached out to retired coroner, Chuck Fricke, local law enforcement, fire departments, the Logan County Paramedic Association, county board and other stakeholders. He did that to introduce needed changes in the coroner’s office while not adversely impacting any of those relationships.

One of the major areas of restructuring involved establishing an actual office for the coroner. He hired several outstanding individuals to serve as deputy coroners.

Thomas also secured a van to transport the deceased.

The working relationship Thomas had with not only the parties in emergency services, but even regional pathologists became a stellar example to us all.

Thomas’ attention to the business side of the coroner’s office never diminished the human side inherent in his duties. Numerous families over Thomas’ 16 years of service have been treated with the utmost in compassion and honesty. They were also provided with attention to detail and heartfelt guidance given Thomas’ vast knowledge of procedures and protocols relating to a death.

Despite the seriousness of Thomas’ job, he always displayed a manner that was pleasant and an unmistakable laugh.

Since doing justice to the demands of the office means staying close to home, Thomas and his wife Penny spend much of their time in their backyard. The Thomas house has often played host to a grandchild or two for an overnight adventure.

The Thomases have a total of five children and fourteen grandchildren with one son being a third-generation firefighter.

In anticipation of retirement, Thomas took up fishing and acquired a fishing boat and pontoon. He also has a place in Florida to enjoy a break from the Illinois winters he has worked in for over four decades.

The Logan County Board thanks Thomas for four outstanding terms as county coroner. They also express thanks to the Thomas’ family that supported him and his schedules and demands connected to the position and wish him a pleasant and much deserved retirement as he transitions into the next phase of life.

Thomas said it has been a great sixteen years. He thanked the board for working as a team with him.

The board approved the resolutions recognizing Mary Kelley for serving Logan County from 1979-2020 and Robert “Bob” Thomas for serving Logan County from 2004-2020.

[Angela Reiners]