Mary J. Keely
Visitation: Friday, October 22, 2021 from 3-8 PM at Calvary Chapel, 66969 N. Centreville Rd. Sturgis, MI 49091
Funeral Service: Saturday, October 23, 2021 at 11:00 AM with Bishop Dana Stauffer and Pastor Tom Miller, officiating. Services will also be held at Calvary Chapel. Interment will follow at Locust Grove Cemetery
Mary J. Keely, age 94 of Sturgis, passed away Friday October 15, 2021 at her home. She was born May 17, 1927, in Haven, Kansas, a daughter of Jacob and Ida Borntrager. Mary earned her teaching degree from Goshen College. On August 30, 1959 she married Martin D. Keely in Goshen, IN. He preceded her in death January 1990.
Mary was a homemaker, caring for her family. She also worked as a custodian with her husband at Glen Oaks College. She was head cook at Camp Chippewa for 24 years. Mary was known for her delicious donuts, angel food cake, cinnamon rolls, pies, noodles and breads. She loved quilting, sewing, and going to Florida in the winters. Mary enjoyed baking for the bazaar for South Colon Church, Thurston Woods and Lake Area Christian School. Mary also did the Jail Ministry banquet for St. Joseph County, Centreville, MI and the Focus Camp banquet in Minnesota for many years.
Surviving Mary are her 2 sons Loren Keely, Sturgis, Larry Keely, Battle Creek, daughter Carol (Robert) O’Brien, Sturgis, daughter-in-law Ony Keely, Sturgis; grandchildren Samantha (Travis) Milburn, Michael (Mary) Keely, Ericka (James) Feister, Rebecca (Nate) Barrett, Rasika Keely, Gabe (Emma) Keely, Courtney O’Brien, and Tyler O’Brien; great grandchildren Emerlynn Pelmear, and Jax Feister. Also surviving are her sisters Sally Hochstetler, Blackduck, MN, Susie Schrock, Gladys, VA, brother Marvin (Joyce) Borntrager, Goshen, IN, sister-in-law Frieda Borntrager, Goshen, IN, and Betty (Dick) Kendall, Bremen, IN, and many nieces and nephews.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents Jacob & Ida Borntrager, husband Martin Keely, son Lee Mike Keely, in-laws George and Bernadette Keely, brother and sister-in-law Alvin & Leona Borntrager, brothers Orvin Borntrager, Ervin Borntrager, sister Anna Borntrager, brother-in-laws Mahlon Nisly, Amos Schrock, Larry Keely, Byron Keely, Tim Keely, Lee Hostetler and sister-in-law Melody Keely.
Relatives and friends will be received Friday from 3-8 PM at Calvary Chapel, 66969 N. Centreville Rd. Sturgis. Religious services will be held at the church Saturday at 11:00 am with Bishop Dana Stauffer and Pastor Tom Miller, officiating. Interment will be in Locust Grove Mennonite Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Lake Area Christian School. Condolences may be left for the family at www.schipperfuneralhome.com.
October 18, 2021 @ 5:21 pm
Mary was an amazing woman and a mainstay for all of us at Camp Chippewa. Her baking skills, warm laughter, and skill at Rook remain fond memories I will always cherish. Our condolences to the family; you are all in our thoughts. Thankful to have had her be a part of my life.
October 18, 2021 @ 11:10 pm
Mary was an important person in our lives who we thought of as family. We got to know Mary thru her work at Camp Chippewa, where it would be impossible to express how much she was part pf the fabric of the campers and staff who were fortunate to be at Chippewa during her years there.
She had a bright smile and always had a positive outlook amd kind word. She also had a fantastic dry sense of humor amd we all loved seeing her interactions with the head of the camp and there was a clear mutual respect and love between them. Watching them play cards at the end of the week and listening to the conversations were always a joy.
She took amd interest in our daughters when they visited with us and they loved spending time with her and eating her incredible food.
She lived an incredible life and touched a lot of people from around the world. She will be truly missed.
October 19, 2021 @ 4:29 pm
I was welcomed to Camp Chippewa as the camp doctor by Mary. She was funny, smart, generous, and a great card player. Also she was a wonderful cook!
October 20, 2021 @ 9:34 pm
My sincere condolences to the family. I know that she will be missed. Our families always enjoyed being together. Prayers from the Boley family.