J. Robert Kelly, age 90, of Urbana, IL, died 6:55 p.m. Wednesday, July 4 at Meadowbrook Healthcare Center in Urbana. Funeral services will be Tuesday, July 10 at 10:00 a.m. at University Place Christian Church, 403 S. Wright St., Champaign with visitation Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 S. Philo Rd., Urbana, The Rev. Dr. Terry Ewing officiating. Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery, Urbana.

Mr. Kelly was born September 26, 1916 at Clarksburg, WV, the son of Dallas D. and Fannie M. Robinson Kelly. He married Mary Elizabeth Wilson on December 25, 1942 in Olney, IL. She preceded him in death on July 10, 2004. He is survived by sons James Wilson Kelly of Fort Collins, Colo. and John Robert Kelly of Woonsocket, R.I.; a brother, Paul L. Kelly of Murtaugh, Idaho and four grandchildren. He is preceded in death by a son Thomas Joseph Kelly, his wife and parents.

Mr. Kelly studied violin with Samuel Gardner at the Juilliard School of Music, violin and composition at Salem College and at the Cincinnati College of Music, composition with Rosario Scalero at The Curtis Institute of Music where he received his Bachelor of Music Degree in Composition, and some time later composition with Herbert Elwell at the Eastman School of Music where he received his Master of Music Degree in Composition.

Mr. Kelly was Professor of Music Composition and Theory at the University of Illinois and was with the university for thirty years. He has written over eighty compositions, including five symphonies, two operas, five string concerti, four string quartets, with the remainder comprising a wide variety of small to large ensemble combinations of strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, or chorus. His music has been performed throughout the United States and internationally. Some of his music was commissioned, won awards or prizes, or was recorded. He also wrote several books and played violin and viola in many orchestras (including thirty years in the Champaign-Urbana Symphony) and chamber music groups.

Mr. Kelly was a member and Honorary Elder of University Place Christian Church in Champaign and also held membership with the American Composers Alliance, Broadcast Music Inc., American Music Center, Pi Kappa Lambda and served in the Army during World War II.

Memorial contributions may be made to University Place Christian Church or the Clark-Lindsey Village Friendship Club.