Leon Keely

First and foremost, Leon Keely was a family man: he loved his six children equally and unconditionally, and many of his happiest memories in life involved the fifty-five years he spent with his beloved wife, Doris. Leon had a natural social talent that always left people charmed and smiling, and he was a good friend to the many people he knew throughout his life.

Leon LeRoy Keely entered the world in the middle of the Roaring 20s, a time of excitement and energy in the United States. He was born on June 4, 1925, in northern Lower Michigan in the city of Manton to proud parents, Peter Keely and Edna (Howard) Keely. The second youngest of four children, Leon grew up chasing the coat tails of his older twin brothers, Allen and Alvin, while keeping a watchful eye on his younger sister, Eloise. They also had a half brother, Howard Gilson.

Leon’s parents both worked outside the home to support their family – his father was a general laborer and his mother was employed as a wallpaper hanger. Leon received his elementary education in the one-room schoolhouse in Arlene, and then went on to attend Manton High School until the 11th grade. He left school to work full-time hauling gravel for a neighbor’s company, but only stayed for a short time before enlisting in the U.S. Army on December 8, 1943. Leon proudly served in the 82nd Airborne in the Eastern European Theatre, where he was wounded in the Battle of Normandy. He was later transferred to the 137th Infantry Regiment, where he drove heavy trucks and equipment.

Upon his discharge on November 10, 1946, Leon returned home to Manton and began working as a bus driver for the Missaukee County Public Schools. It was during this time that Leon met the love of his life, Doris Seeley, who worked at the local dime store. The two fell hopelessly in love during their one-year courtship and were happily married in a Lake City county park on June 8, 1948. The newlyweds settled into married life together in a rented house in Lake City and it was here they welcomed the birth of their first child, daughter Patsy. They lived in Lake City for about 3 years before Leon got a better job in Grand Rapids, working at Reynolds Metals as an Overhead Crane Operator.

Leon and Doris put down roots in Grand Rapids at 322 Fox SW, and added five more children to their family – Diane, Donald, Melvin, Calvin and Michael. With a growing family, Leon began working a second job as Supervisor on the nights and weekends for various moving companies. He spent his life balancing hard work with being a devoted husband and father, and succeeded in providing the best for his family. Being one of the original residents in their neighborhood, Leon’s generous nature reached beyond his immediate family as he always took time to help his neighbors, which included taking food to a disabled neighbor every day.

Even though Leon worked hard to support his family, he also found time to have fun. After retiring from Reynolds Metals after 37 ½ years of service, he had more leisure time to pursue his hobbies. Leon and Doris enjoyed camping, and over the years they graduated from a tent and trailer to finally a motor home. He was a big fisherman too, especially for pan-fish. Leon was a big Detroit Tiger fan, and when it came to his listening pleasure he liked the Statler Brothers, the Bill Gaither Trio, Barber Shop Quartets, and later Polka music. A man of many talents, Leon could fix just about anything, and once turned an old Buick Coupe into a pickup truck with his brother-in-law. Leon was also a collector of novelties and had a house full of great memorabilia his grandkids loved to look at. Later on, after his beloved Doris died, Leon enjoyed going out to eat more often, since cooking for one was no fun.

A true family man, Leon’s happiest moments always involved the time he spent with his beloved wife, children and grandchildren. He faithfully stayed in touch with his family by phone, though he refused to leave a message on an answering machine. Leon enjoyed being a doting Grandpa and Great Grandpa, spending time with his grandkids whenever possible. Although Leon could be stubborn and set in his ways about things, it was his incredibly kind heart and compassionate nature that made him the man people were proud to know.

In the summer of 2008, Leon was diagnosed with lung cancer and underwent radiation and chemotherapy. Even in his most difficult moments, Leon still maintained his great sense of humor, which always put a smile on someone’s face. Sadly, he died at his home on Monday, June 22, 2009, at the age of 84. All who knew and loved Leon will treasure his memory.

Leon was preceded in death by his wife, Doris, in 2003, and son, Michael, earlier this year. Surviving are his children: Patsy Van Dyken of Grand Rapids, Diane Keely of Grand Rapids, Donald Keely of Kentwood, Melvin and Jude Keely, Calvin and Denise Keely, all of Grand Rapids, and daughter-in-law, Teresa Keely of Jamestown. Also surviving are 13 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren; his sister, Eloise Root of Kentwood; brother, Allen Keely of Grand Rapids; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 27, at 11 a.m. at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr NW, Grand Rapids, with interment in Rosedale Memorial Park. Friends may meet the family at the funeral home on Thursday, June 25, from 7-9 p.m. and on Friday, June 26, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 129 Jefferson SE, 49503 or Hospice of Michigan, 989 Spaulding SE, Ada, MI 49301. Please visit Leon’s memory page at www.lifstorynet.com where you may share a memory/thought with his family or sign his online guest book.