Where Food, Drinks & Stories Are Shared

Ethel Petersen-Kelly

February 23, 1924 - May 6, 2017
Kalamazoo, MI

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/018/116874/116874-00.jpg



Visitation

Tuesday, May 9, 2017
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM EDT
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Kalamazoo Location
6080 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-2900

Where a Prayer Service will be held at 6:30PM.

Driving Directions

Service

Wednesday, May 10, 2017
10:00 AM EDT
St. Monica Catholic Church
4408 S Westnedge Ave
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 345-4389
Web Site

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Kairos Dwelling
2945 Gull Road
Kalamazoo, MI 49048
(269) 381-3688
Driving Directions
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Schafer's Flowers Inc.
3274 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(800) 760-7050
Driving Directions
Web Site

Ambati
1830 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 349-4961
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


Print

Age 93, died peacefully May 6, 2017 at Kairos Dwelling. She was born February 23, 1924 in South Wales, Great Britain, the daughter of Henry and Bridget (Fitzgerald) Chainey. She was baptized and attended Our Lady of Penrhys Catholic Church in Ferndale. Ethel grew up in Ferndale with 4 sisters and 2 brothers and enjoyed participating in track, volunteering in her church, and singing in the church choir. During WWII, Ethel moved near London and worked in a factory as a seamstress where she met and married Alfred Petersen in her hometown church on July 25, 1945. She came to America after the war where she was welcomed by Al’s 4 sisters and 3 brothers. She enjoyed going dancing and her monthly club meetings with a group of “war brides” who came to America about the same time and settled in the Kalamazoo area. She came to Kalamazoo and worked in a bakery until she started her family. She raised her 4 children, Christine, Vera, Michael, and John taking them on trips to the country, the lake and vacations up north. Later as her children grew and left home, Ethel enjoyed working in the School as a lunchroom mom. She and Al loved their grandchildren and were great fans of their sporting events. Sadly, Al died in October 1991.

Ethel was remarried to Dale Kelly on September 25, 1993. They enjoyed traveling, visiting many places both overseas and in the States. They particularly enjoyed their trips to Traverse City, Petoskey and the Mackinaw City area, as well as the U.P. They also enjoyed BINGO and trips to the casinos. Ethel was an avid reader and continued to enjoy her monthly meeting with her “English Club Ladies”. She was also a founding member of St. Monica Church and remained an active member.

She was preceded in death by first husband, Alfred Petersen in 1991, 4 sisters: Win Davies, Eva Gerard, Nel Utracik, and Jo Howard and 2 brothers: Bertram and Henry Chainey. Surviving are her husband of 23 years, Dale Kelly, 4 children: Chris (Paul) Simon, Vera Eernisse, Michael (Patti) Petersen, and John Petersen; 9 grandchildren: James, Michael, and Neil Simon, Alan Coffman, Christina Atwood, Eric Eernisse, Jamie Raymond, Lacy Petersen, and Jeremy Petersen; 5 great-grandchildren: Brittany, Amelia, Logan, Oliver, and Gavin; step-son, Pat (Carolyn) Kelly and their children: Laurie and Dan and many nieces and nephews. Visit with family and friends where food and refreshments will be shared on Tuesday from 5-7pm at Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, 6080 Stadium Dr. Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday 10am at St. Monica Church with burial at Mt. EverRest North Cemetery. A luncheon will follow in the church community building. Please visit Ethel’s personal web page at www.betzlerfuneralhome.com where you can read her story, archive a favorite memory or photo and sign her online guestbook before coming to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Kairos Dwelling.