Lloyd Austin Kellum

Lloyd A. Kellum 89, of Battle Creek, died peacefully at home under the care of his loving wife, family, friends and Centrica Care Hospice on Sunday, August 10, 2025.

Lloyd Austin Kellum was born July 4, 1936, in Battle Creek, Michigan to Lloyd Amos and Florence Eunice (Kendall) Kellum. Lloyd completed grades 1-12 at Battle Creek Academy in a ten-year span. He then attended Argubright Business College in accounting. Lloyd also studied at Texas A&M Polygraph School. Lloyd joined the U.S. Army and completed 913 training and some instruction, serving two years and an extension 1959-62. After the service Lloyd worked in electronics and eventually owned and operated Central States Consulting Company, representing General Electric, selling & servicing equipment that evaluated and measured Halogen Gases, primarily for the military and manufacturing companies. He also owned and operated Top Motors during the 1960’s. He was later employed in the Federal Court System for 15 years from 1963-79. Lloyd also owned and operated Creekside Living Center, a foster care home in Emmett Township.

Lloyd was formerly married to Ruth Peck. Lloyd married Rosalee Althea Ahlberg on December 23, 1979, in the Old Sanitarium Building. Surviving are his wife, Rosalee; two children, Michael Mickey Jones and Lori Suhonen both of Houston, TX; and five grandchildren. Lloyd was preceded in death by his parents and an infant son, Rickey J. Kellum..

Lloyd was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Tabernacle, where he played the piano for years. He grew up with the gift of being able to hear music and play it on the piano. He loved playing the piano. Lloyd played piano for chorale and orchestra groups; and was with the “Eternity Singers” playing all over the country from 1969 through 1999. Lloyd will be remembered as “Fingers”. During the late 1940’s, Lloyd was billed as America’s Youngest Boy Preacher, speaking on “The Conditions of the Children of America”. He also was a Boy Soprano, singing at the Opera House in Chicago. Lloyd was also a landlord and took care of numerous seniors and guided them in bookkeeping, accounting and finance.

Friends will be received 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Monday, August 18, 2025, at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care. Military honors and committal will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery 1:30 p.m. Monday, August 18, 2025.

Memorial donations to Battle Creek Academy, 480 Parkway Drive, Battle Creek, MI 49037. Personal messages for Lloyd’s family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.