Katherine "Kay" Elizabeth Chaney

Katherine ”Kay” Elizabeth Chaney, 85, of Ceresco, passed away at home surrounded by her family on October 11, 2024. She was born on October 13, 1938 to Jewel and Margaret (Peterson) Waters in Battle Creek, MI. Kay attended Kirby School in Bedford, Michigan and in 7th grade, Kay met her future husband, Garry R. Chaney while attending Kellogg Elementary School. In her senior year of high school at W. K. Kellogg Agriculture School, Kay was crowned Class Queen of 1956. Kay and Garry married on February 16, 1959, while Garry was stationed in Germany.

Kay held many roles over her working career. She worked as an insurance salesperson for AAA Insurance, she worked for Emmett Township, American Financial and for Dr. Jeff Mitchell. Kay was a fantastic woman, loved by everyone she met. She was definitely not afraid to speak her mind! Her greatest joy was caring for her family, as well as her many "adopted" family members. Kay enjoyed the outdoors, especially the home she loved so dearly, which she and Garry named "Second Nature". Kay enjoyed her very own "she-shed" overlooking their beloved pond.

Kay is survived by her loving husband, Garry; her son, Craig (Kathy) Chaney; grandchildren, Megan Moss (Jacob), Dylan Chaney (Kerri), Maria Chaney; great-grandchildren, Riley Moss and Natalie Chaney and brother, Richard “Dick” Waters. 

Kay was preceded in death by her parents, Jewel & Margaret Waters, her daughter, Shari Linn Chaney and her sisters, Betty, Gloria and Barb.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 16, 2024, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm at Kempf Family Funeral & Cremation Services, Marshall, Michigan. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2024, 11:00 am at Fredonia Holiness Church, 10600 13 ½ Mile Rd., Marshall, Michigan, with Pastor John Beardslee officiating. Kay’s cremated remains will be interred in Houston Cemetery. 

Memorials are suggested to the Fredonia Holiness Church. Arrangements have been entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services. Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guestbook, to share memories and pictures with the family.