Betty J. Kelly

Betty J. Kelly, age 93, joined the love of her life in Heaven on December 20, 2021.

Betty met her love in Gobles, MI, was married, and began life together in Niles. She devoted herself to her family, raising three daughters to emulate her in faith, courage, independence and kindness. She was generous and selfless, always putting others first, exemplifying humility.

Betty became a highly respected female owner and CEO of a Surveying and Engineering sales company. Her honesty, business intelligence, keen sense of reading people, and quick wit and sense of humor were captivating. Betty retired and together with Erwin loved golfing at Tara Golf and Country Club in Florida. She loved entertaining friends and family, was active in water aerobics and loved sitting on the lanai. Betty also treasured summers at Gravel Lake, spending more than 60 years fishing and taking sunset boat cruises. Many friends were welcomed by her kind hospitality.

The matriarch of the family, Betty taught her children and grandchildren to be daring goal seekers and inspired learners who anxiously modeled her. She was feisty but kind and would never hesitate to let anyone know if their behavior was less than exemplary. Betty used the wisdom of the toothpaste tube: once words have been said, they can never be put back inside.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband Erwin in September. She is survived by her daughters Patricia (John), Paula (Randy) and Karen; grandchildren, Emily (Jon), Chad (Morgan), Adam (Lauren), Matt (Andrea) and Carrie (Wesley) and great-grandchildren, Madelyn, Ryker, Jack, Ava, Olivia, Liam and Claire.

Funeral services to celebrate Betty's life will be 12:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel. Interment will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service, starting at 11:00 a.m. Those wishing to make memorial donations are asked to consider the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.