Jason Heith Kelly, age 43, of Braymer, Missouri, passed away at his home on Thursday, August 27, 2026.
Jason was born on November 28, 1982, in Chillicothe, Missouri, the son of Kenton Lee Kelly and Jeanna Still Kelly. He grew up in Braymer, attended Braymer schools, and graduated from Braymer High School. Following graduation, Jason attended North Central Missouri College in Trenton, Missouri where he received his associate degree. He later moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he discovered his passion for cosmetology. He attended the College of DuPage and graduated with a degree in cosmetology.
In 2020, Jason made the decision to return home to Missouri, where he could be closer to the family he loved so dearly. It was also during this time that Jason and Steven Stoll’s relationship began. Steven eventually moved to Missouri to build a life with Jason. Together, Jason and Steven created a home filled with love, laughter, family, and many shared adventures. Steven quickly became much more than Jason’s partner—he became a beloved member of Jason’s entire family.
Jason had a zest for life and a way of finding joy in the simple things. He loved music, traveling, having fun, growing plants and flowers, and spending time with children. He had a special place in his heart for his niece and nephew and treasured his role as their uncle. The love he had for them was evident in the time, attention, and happiness he shared with them.
Throughout his life, Jason held several different jobs, and wherever he worked, he had a special ability to form genuine and lasting friendships. He valued the people he worked alongside, and many of his coworkers became much more than people he worked with—they became friends he carried with him throughout his life. Jason’s kindness, humor, and welcoming personality left a lasting impression on those around him, and the friendships he made through his various jobs were a meaningful part of his life.
Jason also had a heart for making the world around him a little more beautiful. He and Steven enjoyed visiting small, often-forgotten cemeteries, where they would spend their time cleaning, caring for the grounds, and planting flowers. To Jason, these places mattered, and he believed they deserved to be remembered and cared for. That same love and dedication could be seen in the countless hours he and Steven spent planting flowers and working to make Hott Park and Tate Park beautiful.
Jason’s kindness, creativity, humor, and generous spirit touched the lives of many people. He had a gift for bringing life and beauty into the places and lives around him. Whether he was tending flowers, enjoying music, traveling, spending time with family, working alongside friends, or simply having fun, Jason had a way of making memories that will remain with those who loved him.
Jason leaves behind a family and community who will deeply miss his presence, his laughter, his easily recognizable voice, his quirky grin, and his loving spirit.
He is survived by his mother, Jeanna Suchsland, and stepfather, Dr. James Suchsland, of Braymer, Missouri; his maternal grandmother, Barbara Still, of Braymer, Missouri; his brother, Kegan Kelly; two stepbrothers, Matt Suchsland, of Braymer, Missouri, and Marshall Suchsland and wife, Ashley, of Independence, Missouri; three stepsisters, Melissa Suchsland and husband, Tim Johnson, of Kansas City, Missouri, Monica England, of Chillicothe, Missouri, and Madison Larkin and husband, Matt, of Chillicothe, Missouri; his nephew, Kaiden Lee Kelly; and his niece, Kenzie Jean Kelly. Numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives, and dear friends also survive. Jason was preceded in death by his father, Kenton Lee Kelly; his life partner, Steven Stoll, who passed away on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at their home; his maternal grandfather, Darrell Still; and his paternal grandparents, Donald and Willie (Clevenger) Kelly. Jason and Steven’s lives were deeply intertwined, and their love was an important part of the life they shared. Though their time together was far too short, the love they gave to one another, their family, and their community will continue through the memories they created and the beauty they left behind.
A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Braymer Methodist Church in Braymer, Missouri. A visitation will be held on Monday, September 7, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Braymer Methodist Church. Friends may sign the register book at the Lindley Funeral Home in Chillicothe, Missouri, on Friday, September 4, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., or on Monday, September 7, 2026, from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Methodist Church in Braymer, Missouri. A private family burial will be held at Evergreen Cemetery at a later date.
In honor of Jason Kelly, please make memorial contributions to Jeanna Suchsland. Jeanna plans to establish a scholarship in Jason’s name and designate some funds for a park project in memory of Jason and Steven—continuing the work they loved so much and helping to keep their memory alive in the community they cared for. Memorial contributions may be left at the Lindley Funeral Home in Chillicothe, Missouri, or mailed to: Lindley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri 64601. Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Pitts Funeral Home, Braymer, Missouri.