26 Thursday, August 15, 2024 BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com
Gerald E.
Keller, 86, of
Battle Creek,
died Monday,
August 5, 2024,
at Bronson
Battle Creek
Hospital, with
family at his
side. He was
born July 20,
1938, in Marshall, Michigan, the son of
Milton Jacob and Vedna (Faurot) Keller.
Jerry, as he was known, attended
Catholic schools and graduated from
Lakeview High School. After high school
he was recruited by coach Muddy
Waters to play football at Hillsdale
College. Instead, he went to work and
eventually was employed by Ralston
Purina Company where he retired after
30 years as a Class A Millwright. He
also served in the Air Force Reserve for
several years. Jerry was a Detroit Lions
and Tigers fan, who loved baseball and
played senior softball until the age of
- He passed his love of sports on to
three of his granddaughters, Samantha,
Katie and Elisabeth Bent, and taught
them to hit a softball before they were
old enough to sign up for T-Ball. Jerry
not only supported his granddaughters
in athletics but was also an avid Harper
Creek High School football fan long after
his son and daughter graduated from
there. He was an usher and member of
St. Joseph Catholic Church and was a
Boy Scout leader for many years.
Jerry was preceded in death by his
parents; his wife of 60 years, Spicy
(Frazier) Keller; his son, Jerry Keller, Jr.;
and brother Jim Keller.
He is survived by his daughter, Tammy
Keller of Olivet; six grandchildren; sev-
eral great-grandchildren; and several
nieces and nephews.
The Funeral Mass was celebrated
10:30 a.m. Friday, August 9, 2024, at
St. Joseph Catholic Church, with visita-
tion one hour prior to the service at the
church. Interment followed at Ceresco
Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contribu-
tions may be made to the Wattles Park
Men’s Club or the Harper Creek High
School athletic program to support
youth athletics.
Arrangements by the Richard A. Henry
Funeral Home,
http://www.henry-
funeralhome.
org.Fay Elleen
Smith, 91, of
East Leroy,
Michigan, went
to be with the
Lord on Sunday,
August 4, 2024,
at Lakeview
Assisted Living.
She was born
April 1, 1933,
the daughter of Emory Frank Carpenter
and Mary M. (Brehmer) Smith.
Fay was a member of Waukeshma
Community Church, where she sang
in the choir. In retirement, she and
her husband volunteered with Roving
Volunteers in Christ’s Service for sev-
eral years before volunteering at the
Edgewood Children’s Ranch in Orlando,
Fla., for 18 years.
Fay is survived by her sons, Chris
(Robin) Smith, Brion Smith and Scott
Smith; grandchildren Sarah, Erica,
Jessica, Travis and Amber; nine great-grandchildren; and sister Beryle Wilkins.
She was preceded in death by her
parents; her husband of 60 years, Merle
Emerson Smith; sisters Doris Carr and
Claire Ernst; and brothers Don Carpenter
and Lynn Carpenter.
Fay enjoyed sewing, crocheting, quilt-
ing and loved spending time with her
family. She was a true role model and
taught us important life skills and les-
sons. She always made time to spend
with her family. She loved people, espe-
cially children, and loved volunteering.
A private family service will be held.
Because of Fay’s past involvement in
foster care, love for children and uncon-
ditional love for her great-grandsons
that were fostered, memorials may be
made to: Isaih 117 House of Calhoun
County, P.O. Box 842, Elizabethton, TN
37644
Arrangements by Baxter Funeral &
Cremation Service. 269-788-9800/www.
baxterfuneral.comRobert Lee
“Bob” Godde,
88, of Augusta
passed away
August 8, 2024.
Bob was born
in Battle Creek
on August
21, 1935, to
Elbert and Elva
(Manchin)
Godde. He served his country honorably
for four years in the Navy. Later, he
went on to retire from General Motors
in Lansing after 25 years with the com-
pany.
In his younger years, Bob enjoyed
snowmobiling and was a high school
basketball player. Bob was an avid trav-
eler and enjoyed camping across the
country. He also liked woodworking,
fishing and square dancing. He was a
volunteer fireman and was involved with
the Cub Scouts.
Bob is survived by his wife of 65
years, Nila Jo (White) Godde; sons
Michael (Rosemary) Godde and Brian
(Susan) Godde; granddaughters Trudy
(Thomas) Dukes and Christi Godde;
step-grandson John Trogu and his son,
Anthony John Trogu; and a sister, Betty
Thompson.
He was preceded in death by his par-
ents and sisters Helen, Ethel and Gloria.
A memorial service to celebrate Bob’s
life will be held Thursday, August 22,
2024, at noon at Farley Estes Dowdle
Funeral Home & Cremation Care,
Augusta Chapel. Interment with full
military honors will follow at Fort Custer
National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations
may be directed to the American Red
Cross (https://www.redcross.org).
Personal messages for Bob’s family
may be shared at http://www.farleyestes-
dowdle.com.Sean R.
Korloch, 50,
died tragically
on August 3,- Sean
was born March
22, 1974, in
Battle Creek,
to Richard and
Gloria (Smith)
Korloch.
He completed high school and went
on to marry the former Jennifer Taylor
on July 7, 2001. Sean worked as a
fiber optic technician for Midwest
Communications for 27 years.
Sean is survived by his loving wife of
23 years, Jennifer; their three sons, Eric
(Jassimine), Jacob and Aaron (Autumn);
four grandchildren, Willow, Ash, Everlly
and Felix; his mother, Gloria (Larry)
Porter; a brother, Matt (Kayla) Korloch;
a sister, Tami (Mark) Dickinson; several
nieces and nephews and many extended
family.
He was preceded in death by his
father, Rick Korloch, and his stepfather,
Chuck Halligan, as well as many grand-
parents
Sean truly cherished his family and
loved nothing more than spending time
with them. Sean was the foundation of
his family and his love and guidance will
be terribly missed. He was a homebody
and enjoyed being at home with those
he loved. He also enjoyed firearms,
target shooting, smoking meats, which
was his specialty, and his dogs, Lucy
and Joe, the cats and chickens. Above
all, he loved God and was a true Patriot
of our Country, as well as a giver. He
was always helping when he felt God
calling on his heart to do so.
Cremation has taken place. A memo-
rial service will be held at a later date.
Memorial donations in memory of
Sean may be directed to the family to
assist with expenses.
Arrangements by Farley Estes Dowdle
Funeral Home & Cremation Care.
Personal messages for the family may
be placed at http://www.farleyestesdowdle.
com.