Madelon Marie Waidely

Madelon Marie (Fox) Waidely, 90, of Marshall, passed away on Saturday, November 11, 2023 surrounded by family. 

Madelon was born on January 17, 1933 to Carl S. and Margaret A. (Selover) Fox in Marshall, Michigan. She graduated from Marshall High School in 1951. Madelon went on to study at Western Michigan University and at Michigan State University where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Home Management, Child Development, Interior Decorating and her Master’s Degree in Education and was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha and the Delta Kappa Gamma Education Sorority. Madelon started out as a kindergarten teacher at Urbandale Elementary and went on to teach first-grade at Shearman Elementary School until her retirement in 1995. After retirement, she was a long-term substitute teacher. 

Madelon met the love of her life, Edward Waidely at the BYF Group when she was 16 years old. They were happily married at the First Baptist Church in Marshall on July 11, 1954 after Edward returned from serving in the Korean War. They spent 65 wonderful years together before Edward passed in 2020.

Madelon was a long time member of First Baptist Church in Marshall where she played the piano and taught Sunday School as well as Vacation Bible School. She played the piano in a dance band and performed in musicals. Madelon was an avid reader and loved audio books. She enjoyed gardening, visiting with friends, writing in her journal, shopping, decorating, entertaining, and talking on the phone. Madelon would send out hundreds of birthday cards every year, helping those who were in her life to feel special. She was a gold member of the Marshall Branch of AAUW and a lifetime member of the Marshall Area Garden Club. Madelon was also very involved with the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel, the Michigan Education Association, and the National Education Association.

Madelon is survived by her, children- Don (Cindy) Waidely of Hillsdale, Melissa Bernier of Marshall and AnnMarie (Jan) van Dijk of the Netherlands. Grandchildren- Stephanie (Andrew) Steiner of Hillsdale, Amanda Waidely of Hillsdale, Jesse (Cassie) Mroz of Owosso, Brande (Jonny) Baxter of Portland, Kim (Remco) Sour of the Netherlands, Chayenne van Dijk of the Netherlands. Great grandchildren- Lauren Steiner, Hannah Steiner, Calvin Mroz, Emmy Jo Mroz, Braxton Hutchinson, Milo Sour, Lindsey Sour and a great granddaughter and great grandson on the way. Sister in law- Marion (Steve) Weers. Special cousins- Kim (Tim) Borman and Sabrina Bartruff. Numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews and many special friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Waidely and her parents.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Interment will take place at Lyon Lake Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Madelon’s memory can be made to the First Baptist Church in Marshall or the Marshall Public Library.

Arrangements were entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 723 US Hwy 27 N, Marshall, Michigan 49068. Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guestbook, or to leave the family condolences.