Condolence: Dear Kathy, Gary, Harper, + family,
We send our prayers of light + hope to you all today. Sally shared our thoughts so well.
I have many fine memories of lovely family gatherings. We are grateful for all the kindness, good food + fun times we shared.
Sending you big hugs Celeste + Kip

Condolence: As a child, I remember hoping the visit with the Kelleys would include a trip to their store. Of course, if it was a holiday visit, the last place Uncle Max would want to go is to the store! So my 'shopping trips' were usually in the summer and involved more 'browsing' than buying. I loved hearing the stories Aunt Ethelyn and Uncle Max would tell about their business and all the people they met over the years.

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." — Maya Angelou

I was thinking that my Uncle Max touched so many lives, people we'll never know. As my Uncle, I remember how he was always willing to stop and take a minute to really talk to me and made me feel special and important. He genuinely cared about others and was friendly, kind and a generous listener with everyone. He was also a good conversationalist and storyteller too...but his warmth and kindness and positive outlook are what I will always think about when I remember him and celebrate his life.

Condolence: I will always remember my brother Max. He was so protective of me, being my only sibling and eight years my senior. As I was so much younger and an unexpected birth; I received a lot of attention as a baby and a young girl. Although Max could have been jealous and envious, he was always kind and treated me like a queen. We had so much fun together growing up and so many fond memories to share. He always wanted to include me in the things that he loved and for me to follow in his footsteps.

I admired Max because he was so smart and kind, which were the key attributes to his success in owning and running Kelley’s Variety Stores. I also remember when I married my husband Joe, who is a few months younger then Max; they both said they would live to be 100 together. We always had so much fun with Max and Lynn at their house on Middle Lake.

In later years, miles put us apart. We moved to the Seattle, Washington area and did our best to keep in touch by phone and whenever visiting Michigan, we spent many good times together. Three years ago, Max, Kathy and Kathy’s son Harper, came to visit us and our family in Washington. Due to health issues and the inability to travel, that was the last time I saw my brother.

Now I wish him nothing but peace. His days on earth are over, but he’s in a better place now. He’s gone to join his wife Lynn and our parents Paul and Amy Kelley in heaven.

My prayers are with you and your family Kathy. We each share the loss of your dad and the special place he kept in all of our hearts.

Condolence: Dear Kathy and Family,
Although Uncle Max has gone to be with your mother and the angels, he will be deeply missed here. I know my mother, his only sibling, is grieving with his loss just as your family surely is. We can only hold comfort in knowing that he is in a better place now and no longer feels the physical pain that he endured through these last months. May the Lord grant you strength and hold you close through these coming days and weeks.

Know that your dad was a fine man who always treated people kindly, with respect and a smile on his face. He reminded me so much of our Grandpa Kelley, as he endeavored to maintain the special values and character he inherited. May we all be so richly blessed that we can carry on their tradition of love and integrity.

My family and I will continue to keep you and yours in our prayers

Condolence: I had the pleasure of knowing Max from the Great Decisions discussion group the last couple of years. He was a kind, thoughtful man who always had something interesting to say and a great way of telling stories. I am so happy I got to visit him a few times the last few weeks. He will be missed but never forgotten. I am so very sorry for you loss.

Condolence: It was my great privilege to get to know Max at our Pennock Village. Although we had a goal of celebrating his 100th with jubilation and fanfare, I know there is a celebration in that better place where angels sing. God Bless You my Friend.

Condolence: Kathy and family: I am so sorry about your Dad. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Remember all the good times! Jan