Frank F. Kelley, age 89, of Bellevue, passed away Saturday, April 5, 2014. He was born May 23, 1924 in Rhea County, Tennessee the son of David and Laura (Boyd) Kelley. Frank moved to Battle Creek in 1941 and began working at American Marsh Pump Company. On October 31, 1942 he married the love of his life, LaPreal Rankin. In December of that year Frank received his notice to report to Kalamazoo for a physical for the Army and was given seven days to get his personal affairs in order. On January 2, 1943 he was sent to Rockford, Illinois for induction and two days later was on his way to Camp Reynolds Red River Ordinance in Texarkana, Texas for basic training. After basic he was shipped to Kaleen, Texas for advanced training then on to Artillery School at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Aberdeen, Maryland. His next stop was Boston then England and France where he waded ashore on Omaha Beach. Frank continued on to Luxemburg and Belgium where he was decorated by General Patton for his service during the Battle of the Bulge. He went on to Germany and Czechoslovakia before returning to La Havre France and travelling by ship back to New York. He was honorably discharged from The Thunderbird Division at Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania on October 31, 1945. Frank worked at Oliver Farm Equipment and retired from Clark Equipment with 30 years of faithful service. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers: Stewart, Ed and Boyd, and two sisters, Edith Kitley and Audrey Jewell. Frank is survived by his wife of 72 years, LaPreal Kelley; two sons: Ed (Joni) Kelley of Richland and Scott (Pattie) Kelley of Dowling; four grandchildren: Brent, Sheena, Megyn and Brody Kelley. His family was his pride and joy. He was a Life Member of V.F.W. Post 565 Battle Creek and was a Charter Member of Country Chapel United Methodist Church in Dowling where he had held all of the administrative board offices and was a certified Lay speaker. Frank was a past president and two time Lion of the Year at the Bedford Lions Club. The family will receive friends at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home on Wednesday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 10, 2014 at Country Chapel U.M.C., 9275 S. M-37, Dowling, MI 49050. A private interment will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family requests that memorial contributions be given to Country Chapel U.M.C. or Bedford Lions Club. www.henryfuneralhome.org
