Dr. Jerry L. Kelly

Dr. Jerry L. Kelly, 85, of Marshall, passed away on August 10, 2021 at Select Specialty Hospital – Battle Creek.

Jerry was born on February 29, 1936 to Hugh and Lessie (Denniston) Kelly in Hewitt, MN, the youngest of eight children.  He graduated from Plymouth High School in 1954 and was united in marriage with Geraldine (Minehart) Kelly on September 7, 1957. He graduated from University of Michigan School of Dentistry in 1960. He served his country in the United States Army from 1960-1963 and was honorably discharged as Captain. He started his dental practice in Belleville, MI in 1963 and retired in 2001. He and Geraldine moved to Marshall in 2005.

He belonged to the American Dental Association and was Past-President of the Belleville Rotary Club and member of Rotary International. After retirement, he was a member of the Executive Club in Marshall. Jerry was an active member of Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Canton, MI and Christ Lutheran Church in Marshall. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed gardening, traveling, and reading. Jerry’s church family was always very important to him.

Jerry loved his family, and showed it in all of his actions with them, and told them every chance he got as well as gave out great hugs, he especially loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren and had a special connection with each one. He is survived by his greatest love, his spouse of 64 years, Geraldine Kelly; two sons, Jeff (Debby) Kelly, Brad Kelly; one daughter, Lisa (Jack) Reed; eight grandchildren, Kristin (Scott) Chambers, Courtney (Eric) Hansche, Justin (Patrick Graver) Kelly, Jordan Kelly, Jeremy (Ellen Orner) Reed, Sara Jeffery, Zeke Kelly, Noah Kelly; two great-granddaughters, Autumn Foren, Sydney Jeffery; and one sister-in-law, Mary Kelly.

He was preceded in death by his parents Hugh and Lessie Kelly; son, Brian Scott Kelly; six sisters, Jessie (Harry) Moyer, Margaret Stadel, Vada (Bob) Rider, Beatrice (Tony) DeContreras, Iris (Don) Gill, Elizabeth (Ken) Taylor; and one brother, Hugh Kelly. He always said he didn’t have one mother, he had seven and loved each of them.  His brother was his co-conspirator early in life and then late in life when they traveled with their spouses together.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 19, 2021 at Christ Lutheran Church, 440 West Dr N, Marshall, MI 49068. A memorial service will follow the visitation at 11 a.m. on Thursday at the church, with Rev. David Moran officiating. A committal service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, 2021 at Fort Custer National Cemetery, where military honors will be rendered. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be given to Christ Lutheran Church. Arrangements were entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 723 US Hwy 27 N, Marshall, MI 49068. The funeral service will be live streamed on the funeral home website. Please visit https://kempffuneralhome.com to watch the memorial service, view the online obituary, sign the guest book, or leave messages for the family. **The family kindly asks that those in attendance wear a mask or face covering**