Clifford H. Kelling

A funeral service celebrating the life of Clifford Henson Kelling, age 85, of Hebron, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 24, at the Kirkersville Chapel of Hoskinson Funeral & Cremation Service with Brad Lambert officiating. Burial will follow in Jersey Cemetery.

Friends may call from 12 p.m.-2 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home, 285 East Main Street in Kirkersville.

Clifford was born February 17, 1938 in Columbus, Ohio to the late Frederick Henson Kelling and the late Katherine Jane (Skeele) Kelling. He passed away on Sunday, May 21, 2023 at Licking Memorial Hospital.

A 1957 graduate of Olentangy High School, Cliff received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and a Master of Science degree in Instructional Design from The Ohio State University. He later went on to receive a Ph.D. from Purdue University in Human Factors in Aircraft Maintenance, which was his favorite subject. While a student, he did research in Alaska for a time.

Cliff was involved in Aviation from 1962 to the present and was an authorized inspector for the F.A.A. for 45 years. He was employed with Lane Aviation from 1962-71 where he was a service manager. While at Lane, he was grateful for the privilege to work on Jerrie Mock’s (born in Newark) airplane for her record-setting flight as the first woman to fly solo around the world in a single engine Cessna 180. Cliff retired from Columbus State Community College where he taught Aviation Maintenance for 33 years and was named Professor Emeritus in 2003. While a professor at Columbus State he was also employed with Chautauqua Airlines. Following his retirement, he worked for NetJets before retiring in 2009. In 2012, the F.A.A. awarded Cliff the Charles Taylor Award (who was a Wright Brothers mechanic) for his 50 years of service as a professional aircraft mechanic.

Cliff was a nationally and state-certified Motorcycle Safety Instructor. He was a member of PAMA (Professional Aircraft Maintenance Association). Locally, he served as a judge for Junior High and High School science fairs. He was also involved with Scouting and was the leader of Cub Pack #26 of Summit Station, and the Explorer Scouts #26 of Summit Station, a co-ed group. Cliff was a Wood Badge Scouter and was the recipient of the Order of Arrow and the Order of the Arrow with Vigil Honors.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Craig and Denise Kelling of Hebron; sisters, Winona, Rosemarie, Jeannie, and Connie; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marilynn Y. (Patterson) Kelling; a brother, Frederick A. Kelling; and a sister, Barbara.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Licking County Humane Society, 825 Thornwood Drive, Heath, OH 43056.

Hoskinson Funeral & Cremation Service in Kirkersville is honored to care for Cliff and his family.