Alton R. Key
Sept. 7, 1922-Dec. 14, 1999

Alton R. "Bud" Key, 77, of North Seventeenth Street, Niles, Mich., died of a brief illness at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 1999,  at his home.

He was born to Bernard and Linnie (Dillingham) Key on Sept. 7, 1922, in Nortonville, Ky. He had lived in Niles for 47 years, coming from Milwaukee, Wis.

Mr. Key was the owner and operator of Key Ceramics in Niles.  In 1984, after 42 years of employment, he retired from Montgomery Ward, Niles.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps, serving in World War II, and was a member of American Legion Post 26 and VFW Post 4025, both in Niles.

On Sept. 20, 1947, in Dubuque, Iowa, he married the former Martha V. Czarnyszka, who died on Nov. 14, 1994. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Jackie K. Key.

Mr. Key is survived by his children, Peggy Soule of Sterling Heights, Mich., Kenneth R. Key of Miami Lakes, Fla., Robert L. Key of Kansas City, Mo., Donna F. Rans and Linda M. Green, both of Niles; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; three sisters living in Mishawaka, Ind., Margaret McKinney, Aminell Harbin and Maymie Pride; a sister, Martha Faye Dosmann of St. Louis, Mo.; and by his brother, Delbert Key of Mishawaka, Ind.

Funeral services for Alton R. Key will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Mr. Robert Key of Kansas City officiating. A veterans flag presentation and taps officiated by John McLaughlin, commander of American Legion Post 26, will follow the committal in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive friends from 3 to 7 p.m. today, Dec. 17, at the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Mr. Key may be made to Hospice at Home or to the American Lung Association.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown 

Ruth M. Kendrick
Nov. 20, 1908-Feb. 3, 2004

Ruth M. Kendrick, 95, Kokomo, Ind., formerly of Niles, Mich., until moving to Kokomo in 1998 to be near her family, died at 9:15 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3,  2004, in Waterford Health Campus in Kokomo.

She was born Nov. 20, 1908, in Bellevue, Mich., the daughter of Leslie Clyde and Lora B. (Garity) Martens. She married William Howard Kendrick in Bellevue on June 26, 1937, and he died June 9, 1982.

She was a 1925 graduate of Bellevue High School and a 1929 graduate of Olivet College in Olivet, Mich. She earned her master's degree from Michigan State. She was a history teacher at Niles Junior High School for many years until retiring in 1971.

She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Niles where she served as an elder. She was actively involved in a number of clubs over the years, including the Niles Garden Club. During her time in Kokomo, she was a member of the First Presbyterian Church.

She was an accomplished musician having played the cello in high school and college. She remained a fan of classical music throughout her life, and also loved flowers and gardening. She was fortunate to have traveled extensively during her lifetime.

Survivors include her daughter, Kathryn K. Cofield, and her husband, Malvin of Kokomo; one granddaughter, Catha C. Huff, and her husband, Jason of Indianapolis, Ind.; a great-grandson, Jackson P. Huff of Indianapolis; a step-grandson, M. Scott Cofield, and his wife, Jean of Brownsburg, Ind., and their children, Paul, Andrea and Brad; a step-granddaughter, Paige C. Amsler, and her husband, Kevin of Wayzata, Minn., and her sons, Nathan, Trevor and Morgan Funk.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and by a sister, Myrna, who died in infancy.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday in the First Presbyterian Church, 2000 W. Jefferson St., Kokomo, with Rev. William O. Emrich officiating. The family will receive friends in the church parlor from noon until time of services. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, with the Rev. Ron Wakeman officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Foundation, 13 S. Fourth St., Niles, MI 49120.

The Fenn & Shirley Mortuary, Kokomo, is in charge of arrangements.

Geraldine Marie Kelley
October 6, 1919-July 20, 2006

Geraldine Marie (McCain) Kelley, 86, of Jefferson Street, Merrillville, Indiana, and formerly of Niles, Michigan, died following an illness at 6:15 p.m. Thursday, July 20, 2006, at Towne Centre in Merrillville.

Mrs. Kelley was born on October 6, 1919, in Memphis, Tenn., to Henry and Aline (Reed) McCain. She moved to Merrillville in 2003, coming from Niles where she had lived since 1962. Prior to living in Niles, she lived in Oak Lawn, Ill. She had been employed as a secretary for J.R. Lutes Distribution in Niles. Geraldine also worked for Gittleman's Clothing Store and Garrett Laboratory, both in Niles.

Geraldine was a member of Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles. She was active in the schools when her children were attending and volunteered at many of the schools. On November 9, 1946, in Chicago, Illinois, she married Robert E. Kelley Sr., who died on January 20, 1998. She is survived by their children: a daughter, Patricia (John) Szot of Merrillville, and a son, Robert E. (Theresa) Kelley Jr. of Myakka City, Florida; four grandchildren, Thomas and Kathleen Szot of Merrillville, and Scott and Meaghan Hogan of Myakka City; two brothers, Harding J. McCain of Daytona Beach, Fla., and Calvin McCain of Dallas, Texas; and many nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Kelley was preceded in death by two sisters, Celia McCain and Virginia "Nonnie" Strang; and by two brothers, Henry J. and George McCain.

Funeral services for Geraldine M. Kelley will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, July 24, 2006, in Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles, with The Rev. David Otto of Saint Mary Catholic Church officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. The family will be receiving relatives and friends beginning at 1 p.m. Monday in the funeral home.

Contributions may be made to the Macular Degeneration Research or Alzheimer's Association.

She will be loved and missed by family and friends.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown 

Betty C. Kelley
July 5, 1925-Sept. 27, 2001

Mrs. Betty C. Kelley, 76, of Walhalla, Mich., formerly of Niles, Mich., passed away on Thursday, Sept. 27,  2001, in Mercy Hospital, Muskegon, Mich.

Betty was born on July 5, 1925, in Niles, to Robert and Lucile (Swartz) Mann, and married Gene Kelley on June 12, 1970, in Lansing, Mich.

Betty was preceded in death by her daughters, Sharon Thompson and Bonnie Praklet; her grandson, Ronald Barnett Jr.; and by her sister, Helene Barnes.

She will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Gene; her children, Shirley VanDurmen of Tehachapi, Calif., Vickie Johnson of Granger, Ind., Ronald "Bud" Barnett of Bonita Springs, Fla.; her stepchildren, Gary Kelley of Houston, Texas, Janet Kelley of Tampa, Fla., Kendrick (Sandie) Kelley and Kristi (Raymond) Breashears, all of Lansing; 20 grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren; her brothers, Robert Mann of Oceanside, Calif., and Fredrick (Beverly) Mann of Niles; her sisters, Bertha Lifer of Ocala, Fla., Janice Fox and Carol (Donald) Mitchell, all of Niles, and Marjorie (Julian) Papcynski of Berrien Springs, Mich.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 1, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Rev. Al Bastin of St. John's United Church of Christ officiating. Burial will take place at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, at 2 p.m. Monday.

Friends may meet with her family from 2 to 4 p.m. this afternoon, Sept. 30, in the Stephens Funeral Chapel, Scottville, Mich., or on Monday from 10 a.m. until time of services in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of donor's choice.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Jesse Lee Kelems IV
December 11, 1977-September 25, 2004

Jesse Lee Kelems IV, 26, of Niles, Mich., passed away on Saturday, Sept. 25,  2004, due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.

Jesse was born to Jesse Lee III and Angela Kelems of Niles on Dec. 11, 1977. He was an electrician for Goshen Coach.

He is survived by Ralene Lausch, fiancée of Niles; Saelene C. Kelems, daughter of Niles; Tori Lausch, stepdaughter of Niles; Ryan A. Cowan, brother of Buchanan, Mich.; Jesse L. Jr. and Charlene Kelems, grandparents of Buchanan; Bill and Dorothy Webb, grandparents of Buchanan; Claudia Webb, great-grandmother of Niles; Earl and Letha Bell, great-grandparents of Niles; and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral services for Jesse will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1, in the Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan. Pastor Bill Pollock of Apostolic Tabernacle, Niles, will be officiating. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 30, in the Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Contributions may be made to the Ralene Lausch and Saelene C. Kelems funds.