Kenneth "Jack" DeLaney

Kenneth Joseph DeLaney, known to all as “Jack”, died peacefully on January 1st, 2022, at Glenn Arbor Hospice Residence in Battle Creek.

He was only a few days away from his 98th birthday, being born in Marshall on January 4th,1924 to Howard L. and Mary (Cooper) DeLaney.

People say Jack was possibly the happiest older person they ever knew, always whistling and doing some sort of project.  What a role model and exceptional person, always eager to learn something new!

Jack was a 1942 graduate of Marshall High School, excelling in track and basketball.  He continues to hold the Twin Valley broad jump record!

On July 31st, 1944, he married Dorothy M. Wheeler, and they shared a beautiful marriage for nearly 76 years, when she preceded him in death on May 26, 2020.

Jack was an avid deer hunter and fisherman, and also hunted for treasures with his metal detector.  He perfected his skills in woodworking and carpentry, doing interesting arts and crafts for many years,

He worked for Post Cereals for 41 years where he learned his “green thumb” skills working in the green house before taking a position of high lift operator in the shop, and retiring in 1983.

World War II benefited from Jack’s skills for 39 months, when he was in the 83rd Infantry Division, both in the US and Europe.  He marched through France at the end of the war and shook hands with the enemy.

Jack was a member of Posts 25 Year Club and a life member of the VFW Post 4073.

He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy M. (Wheeler) DeLaney, sister Dorothy Robinson, son Charles DeLaney, and daughter Dolores Hardy.

He is survived by his daughter Carol Kellogg, and brother Richard DeLaney, grandchildren Robert Mack, Brandi Lepper, Tyler Kellogg, and Melinda Hamp, and several great and great/great grandchildren.

Friends may visit with the family from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, January 6, 2022, at Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 723 US Hwy 27 N, Marshall, MI 49068. The funeral service will take place at the funeral chapel at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, January 7, 2022. A reception will follow the service in the Kempf Reception Hall. Interment will take place at 3:45 p.m. at Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens in Battle Creek, where military honors will be conducted by the Army. Memorial contributions may be given to the Centrica Care Navigators or the Humane Society of South Central Michigan. Assistance with memorials is provided at the funeral home or they may be sent directly to the charity. Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, sign the guest book, and leave messages for the family.