Max Leo Kelley

Age 87, of Lansing, passed away April 11, 2012 as he listened to his beloved Tigers.  He was born January 21, 1925, in Six Lakes, a son of Clarence and Jennie Kelley.  Max joined the U.S. Army, served in WWII in the 874th Engineer Aviation Battalion, serving in New Guinea.  After the military, he worked at Fisher Body for 30 years, retiring in 1977.  He was a life member of Morley S. Oates Post #701 V.F.W., as well as having been a member of the American Legion Post #412, and Post #288 L.O.O. Moose. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel; son, Wayne; his parents, as well as brothers, Shirl, Gene and Bob Kelley; and dear friend, Phyllis Horst.  Surviving are: children, James (Cheryl) Kelley of Mason, Jill Miller of Nashville, MI and Wanda (Phil Galbavi) Kelley of Lansing; 12 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; and siblings, James Edwin (Marlene) Kelley, Norman Kelley, Nyda (Charles) Barrix, Bonnie LaGoe and Margie (Ken) Weiderman.  Max loved sports, especially golf, bowling and softball, and had pitched 2 no-hitters for the Bishop Inn team.  He also had been a Boy Scout leader and enjoyed feeding the ducks and turtles at the pond.

The funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. Monday, April 16, 2012, at the Estes-Leadley Holt/Delhi Chapel, with interment to follow in East Lawn Memory Gardens, Okemos.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, and one hour prior to the funeral on Monday.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the V.F.W. National Home for Children in memory of Max Kelley.

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2 Messages to “Max Leo Kelley

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Rex Colthorp
April 13, 2012 at 7:56 am

My wife Lynda and I will remember nice memories of a one of a kind man, Max. Phyllis Horst was my Aunt, and we had many nice times through the years with her and Max. You never worried where you stood with him, as he would let you know. Please accept our condolences in your loss. GO TIGERS!!!

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Constance Colthorp Amrine
July 1, 2013 at 11:09 am

Also remembering Max fondly. I did not know he had passed, but I enjoyed seeing his consistent smile and appreciated his time in the last few years with my Aunt Phyl. It’s nice that you remembered the VFW home for children. I grew up in Eaton Rapids, and that home meant a lot to many people.

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