Obituary of Wallace Franklin Keely

Age 80, of Clio, died Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at Maplewoods Manor in Clio. A celebration of Mr. Keely’s life will take place at 11:00am, Thursday, July 3, 2014 at the Martin Funeral, Cremation & Tribute Services in Mt. Morris. Rev. Fr. Steven Makranyi will officiate with cremation to follow. Mr. Keely’s family will be preset to receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 12:00 noon until 9:00pm and on Thursday morning from 10:00am until the time of service at 11:00am. Wallace was born August 2, 1933 in Flint, the son of Mr. and Mrs. John J. and Viola M. (Hunter) Keely’s. Educated locally through Flint Schools, he graduated from Flint Northern, with the Class of 1951. Mr. Keely would go on to serve his country with the US Army, from 1954-1956, stationed in Fort Hood, Texas. As a young man, he and Shirley Jensen were married in 1958, and began a family together. Later in life, Wallace and Marlene Gifford would be united in marriage on September 23, 1978, which added her family to his own. Sadly, she preceded him in death on July 17, 2007. His career path would lead him first to Select-a-Drink in Flint and from there he would go on to work at IMA Vending in Flint and then owned and operated Carriage Town Vending, with his family, for over 24 years. Later in life, he would work with his wife, Marlene, at June’s Floral Company in Mt. Morris. Wallace loved his family dearly, especially when they were playing music, spending time up north and the outdoors. He will be dearly missed. Left to cherish his memory are his children, Charles and wife Sammi-Jo Keely, Brenda and husband Richard Sunderman, Dave Keely, Mark Keely, Wally Keely, Gayle Keely, Laura Davis and Waneita and husband Marc Bovan, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, brothers, Darold and wife Sheilah Keely and Jerry and wife Kathryn Keely, sisters, Dorothy McClanahan, Viola Witter and Beverley and husband Daniel Feckovic, sisters-in-law, Eva Keely and Kathleen Keely, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Mr. Keely was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Marlene, daughter, Bethany, grandson, Refugio, brothers, Jack, Bill and Bob and sisters, Marjorie, Lila and Marion. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the caring staff at Maplewoods Manor in Clio.