Charles Kelley

Charles “Denny” Kelley, age 77, of Battle Creek, passed away Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at the Evergreen Senior Care and Rehab Center. He was born November 28, 1938 in Dayton, Tennessee and was a 1957 graduate of Battle Central High School. Denny was a flight mechanic in the Air Force serving for eight years. He served during the Cuban Missile Crisis, flew over Antarctica and was a part of the 54th Air Rescue team which rescued NASA Project Mercury astronaut Lt. Cmdr. Malcolm S. Carpenter following his flight around the globe.  He worked at Clark Equipment Company until closing and then worked at both St. Philip Catholic Central High School and St. Joseph Elementary. For many years he volunteered at the St. Philip Sunday suppers and was in charge of Third Sunday for 15 years. Surviving are two daughters: Kathy and Michelle Kelley; two grandchildren: Joshua (Tiffany) Kelley-Vinton and Autumn Kelley and her fiancé Corey Rench; four great-grandchildren: Dakota, Madison, Cassidy and Kasen; ex-wife and lifelong friend, Barbara J. Kelley; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his mother Audra Jewell Kelley; sister Emily Sagers and a special aunt Edith Kitley. A Memorial Service will be held 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 19, 2016 at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery. www.henryfuneralhome.org

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