Phil Kelly was friendly, outgoing and a "really good person," according to a close friend.

Portage police on Monday identified Philip G. Kelly, 31, of Portage, as the man found deceased in a field near Village Road in Portage on Saturday afternoon.

Jen Skinner, a close friend and former neighbor who now lives in Oxford, said she first met him at CNA classes at Divine Savior Healthcare in 2005.

"This comes as a shock," Skinner said of Kelly.
Kelly loved movies, especially the 1971 cult classic "Harold and Maud," loved watching reality television and enjoyed the music of Simon and Garfunkel.

"He was the kindest person. He was very spiritual," Skinner said. "He was such a free spirited person, anyone could get along with him."

Stephanie Smith was a high school friend of Kelly's. She said she only bumped into him only about three times a year for several years, but will miss him.

"I ran into him two or three weeks ago and I gave him a hug," Smith said. "I thought it was just another hug. I didn't realize it would be our goodbye hug."

Kelly was someone who had a warm personality, she said.

"He was a very kind soul. He had a great heart," Smith said. "Always had a smile on his face."

She said she'll be thinking about Kelly's mother during this time. Smith said his mom "just loved him to pieces."

Portage Police Detective Lt. Mark Hahn said Kelly was found about 3:40 p.m. Saturday in a field behind the Ridge Motor Inn in the 2800 block of Village Road.

"At this point in time, we do not believe that any type of foul play is involved," Hahn said Monday. "We're not looking at this right now as being any type of a crime."

Hahn said Kelly had been in the field "less than 24 hours."

The investigation is ongoing; Portage Police Chief Ken Manthey said results of an autopsy conducted Tuesday are still pending on toxicology tests.

"It could take three weeks," Manthey said.