16 Thursday, July 18, 2024 BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.comBobby Keith
Angell, 94, of
Battle Creek,
Michigan, passed
away July 11,
2024, at home,
surrounded in the
love of his family.
He was
born February
18, 1930, to
Irl and Lizzy
(Collins) Angell
in Summers,
Arkansas. He grew up in Battle Creek
and attended Lakeview High School.
Bobby worked as a project manager for
Union Pump Company. On July 22, 1950,
he married the love of his life, Barbara
Gennoe. They lived and raised their family
in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Bobby enjoyed gardening and yard
work, traveling to many incredible destina-
tions, Cedar Point trips with kids, and “his”
mountains. Although Bobby enjoyed many
things, his greatest passion was watch-
ing his kids and grandkids play sports of
all kinds. He followed each one through
all their years of competition and was the
greatest cheerleader of all.
Bobby is survived by his loving wife
of 74 years, Barbara; his two daughters,
Sheri J. Angell of Charlotte, NC, and Lori
K. (Alex) Weston of Battle Creek, MI; his
son Brian M. Angell of Langhorne, PA; fourgrandsons, Josh (Leah) Hansen, Brandon
(Brooke) Hansen, Skyler (Elizabeth)
VanEeuwen and Zachary Angell; his two
foster sisters, Linley (Wayne) Houseman,
Shane Albert; his foster brother, Cam
Hamilton; and his seven great-grandkids,
Hensley, Parker, Hudson, Rhett, Arya,
Emilia, Nash.
He was preceded in death by son
Jeffrey Keith Angell; parents Irl and Lizzy
Angell; and brothers Wayne (Reatha)
Angell and Garvin (Helen) Angell.
Visitation was held Tuesday, July 16,
2024, 4-6 p.m., at Kempf Family Funeral
& Cremation Services, 2838 Capital Ave.
SW, Battle Creek, MI 49015.
A funeral service was also held at
the funeral home the following day, on
Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at noon, with
Pastor Steve Olmstead officiating. Burial
followed at Oak Hill Cemetery, 255 South
Ave., Battle Creek, MI 49014.
Memorials are suggested to Centrica
Care Navigators, 7100 Stadium Drive,
Kalamazoo, MI 49009 or on their
website at https://secure.acceptiva.
com/?cst=EVteYt.
Please visit http://www.kempffuneralhome.
com to view the
online obituary,
sign the online
guestbook or
leave the family
condolences.BATTLE
Obituaries CREEK
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Kelly L. O’Connor 1106 S. Kalamazoo Avenue, Marshall, Michigan 49068 Timothy D. Bennett
269.781.8460 • http://www.oconnorbennett.comYOUR PARTNERS IN ESTATE PLANNING AND PROBATELinda Dyanne
Keeler, 79, of
Battle Creek,
passed away
peacefully in
her home, sur-
rounded by loved
ones on Sunday,
July 14, 2024.
She was born
October 1, 1944,
in Battle Creek,
the daughter of
Alvin and Mildred
(Denton) Phillips.
Linda worked as a bar owner/bar man-
agement. She had a passion for serving
the community and helping anyone in
need. Linda was extremely active during
her life. She enjoyed bowling, playing in
pool leagues, softball, golf, mushrooming,
cards and casinos, Bunco, travel, camp-
ing, organizing trips to the Tigers game
and family trips to Tennessee. She was
also an active member of the Eagles.
Linda was the matriarch of her family and
spent her life surrounded by her familyand friends.
Linda is survived by her daughter, Callie
(Jason); son, Scott (Lucinda); step-daugh-
ter, Debbie; step-son, Rodney (Cindy);
sister-in-law, Joy Phillips; grandchildren
Timothy, Christina, Eric (Chelsea), Sarah
(Garrett), Jordan, Weber, Jacob (Chelsea)
and Shelby (Iram); great-grandchildren
Jessica, Ashley, Lenin, Iris, Owen, Jase,
Alec, Jude, Scarlett, Mackenzie and
James; and great-great-grandchildren Lia
and Cane.
Linda was preceded in death by her
parents, Alvin and Mildred Phillips; broth-
ers Jerry Phillips, Foster Phillips, Michael
Phillips and Ronnie Phillips; her life part-
ner, Randy Rizor; and best friend James
Keeler.
A memorial service will be held at Maple
Methodist Church on Wednesday, July 24,
2024, at 2 p.m., followed by the burial at
Hicks Cemetery and Celebration of Life at
54 Heath Street, Battle Creek, MI 49014.
Arrangements entrusted to Baxter
Funeral and Cremation Service, 269-788-
9800/www.baxterfuneral.comPlease join us
in celebrating the
life of Stephen
Albert Kelly, who
passed away
peacefully in his
home, surround-
ed by his loving
family, on July 6,
2024, in Dowling,
Michigan.
Steve Kelly,
beloved husband,
a remarkable
father, funny papa, but most importantly, a
child of the Most-High, Jesus Christ. Steve
was born September 8, 1949, and raised
from Dayton, Ohio, area. He attended
the Ohio Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Orphans’
(OSSO) Home in Xenia, Ohio.
Steve cherished his upbringing at the
Home, where he proved to be a talented
musician, excelling on the trumpet, as well
as an accomplished athlete who quarter-
backed his football team and competed in
hurdles. His face lit up whenever he told
his stories from the “home.” His fond mem-
ories growing up on that campus and the
legacy that it provided to the children led
Steve to become active in the Association
of Ex-Pupils. His years at OSSO were also
a major factor in why family was so impor-
tant to Steve.
Steve had two great loves in his life.
Steve met the first, Susan Louise Smith,
in 1968, and by a God-appointed moment,
he fell in love with Sue and her faith in
God. By God’s grace, they shared 55
years of marriage that had valley and
mountaintop experiences, but all shaping
them to who they are today.
Steve and Sue built their family on
godly principles and put a lot of time
and love into their children. Steve made
hanging out with each other fun and
always entertaining. The Kelly crew was
called the “Brady Bunch” by our friends
because they chose to hang out with their
parents instead of their friends – even
as teenagers! You just never knew what
would happen on a family trip! He was a
movie connoisseur who loved comedies
(“Blazing Saddles,” “Clue” and “Young
Frankenstein”), along with ANY Sherlock
book or movie.
His other love was woodworking. A dedi-
cated educator with a Ph.D. in Education,
Steve taught for 34 years before retiring to
pursue his passion for custom woodwork-
ing. Renowned for his craftsmanship, he
delighted in creating custom cabinetry and
furniture for family, friends and clients. His
talent eventually extended to historic pres-
ervation, notably contributing extensively
to the restoration efforts at White Shoal
Lighthouse.
He was a loyal and best friend to many,
always willing to lend a helping hand
without ever seeking recognition. He
enjoyed golfing with friends, fishing trips
to Canada, and exploring Civil War battle-
fields along the East Coast with fellow
enthusiasts.
He will be deeply missed by his wife,
five children, 10 grandchildren, and a wide
circle of friends and family whose lives
he touched profoundly. His legacy of faith,
love and craftsmanship will endure in the
hearts of all who knew him.
Steve, your time here has meant so
much to so many. Rest in the arms of
Jesus, and we will see you again.
Visitation was Thursday, July 11, 2024,
at Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings,
Mich., from 4-7 p.m.
A funeral service was held Friday,
July 12, 2024, at Our Lady of Great Oak
Catholic Church in Dowling, Mich., at
11 a.m. Our Lady of Great Oak Catholic
Church, 6547 Lacey, Bellevue, MI 49021.
Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral
Home. To leave an online condolence, visit
http://www.girrbachfuneralhome.net.