Jean B. Kelly

JEAN B. KELLY Jean B. (Boyd) Kelly, age 79, of Marshall, died on Friday, September 15, 2006 at Life Span Hospice House in Battle Creek. Jean was born July 26, 1927 in Detroit to Clarence and Sarah E. (Paavola) Boyd. The family moved to this area when Jean was an infant, and she has lived here since then. She graduated from Marshall High School in 1945. She was married on October 11, 1946 in Marengo to Ben D. Kelly. Jean was a homemaker, devoted mother and wife. When her children were older, she worked at Eaton''s, Kellogg Company, and Dreamer''s Furniture in Marshall. Jean was a member of the United Methodist Church since the early 1950''s. As a youngster, she was a 4-H member. She was very artistic, creating sketches and also doing craft work. She always enjoyed a good ball game, and would be a dedicated Tiger fan even when everybody else had given up on them! Jean''s sense of humor was exceptional. Her family always came first, and is remembered by her family as "the best grandma the kid''s could have!". Jean loved to garden, taking particular joy in raising flowers with husband Ben. They were a familiar sight at their home even after illness slowed her down, with Ben putting her wheel chair near where he would work in their gardens under her watchful and helpful eye! Surviving are her loving and devoted husband Ben; their 3 sons, Michael Kelly, Joel Kelly, Benjamin L. "Lou" Kelly; daughters-in-law, Peggy, Diana, Joyce and Janice; 6 grandchildren, Sarah Kelly (Kevin Bushre), Timothy (Kelly) Kelly, Sean (Nicole) Kelly, Trevor Kelly, Emily Kelly and Tyler Kelly; 2 great-grandchildren Ethan and Madyson Kelly; 2 sisters, Bea (Richard) Walter Sr. and Audrey (Harold) Baker all of Marshall; nieces and nephews, and a special friend, Shirley Murphy. She was preceded in death by her brother George Boyd and her parents. Friends may call at the Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home on Monday, where family will be present form 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 to greet friends and share memories. Funeral services to celebrate her life and remember her will be held at the Marshall United Methodist Church on Tuesday, September 19, at 11:00 am with Rev. Len Schoenherr of United Methodist Church officiating. Her grandchildren, Sarah Kelly, Timothy Kelly, Sean Kelly, Trevor Kelly, Emily Kelly and Tyler Kelly will serve as her pall bearers. Interment will follow in Oakridge Cemetery. The family suggests that memorial contributions be directed to United Methodist Church. Assistance with memorials is available at Kempf Funeral Home.