John Mark Kelley, Sr., 67, of Cassopolis died peacefully on Thursday, August 22, 2024, surrounded by his family. His life began on November 20, 1956, in Smithville, Missouri, the youngest of three sons of Benjamin and Mary Kelley, Sr. He married Mary Gretchen Connelly Stratman on January 6, 1996, in Jacksonville, Arkansas. John loved his family and enjoyed helping others, including completing tax returns for the Cass County Council on Aging. He served as treasurer of the Cassopolis United Methodist Church. John enjoyed meeting new people. He enjoyed classic rock and new music. John enjoyed barbecue and his family said he was “getting better.” John will be greatly missed by family and friends. He leaves behind his wife of 28 years, Mary Gretchen Kelley of Cassopolis; a daughter, Renee (Chris) Archer of Pleasant Plains, Arkansas; two sons, James (Robbie) Stratman, Jr., of Bella Vista, Arkansas, John Mark Kelley, Jr. of Pleasant Plains; 10 grandchildren; one new great-grandson; two brothers, Ben F. Kelley, Jr. of Montgomery, Alabama, Bruce (Peggy) Kelley of Batesville, Arkansas; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; and one son, Benjamin Franklin Kelley, Sr. Family and friends will gather from 4-6 p.m. Monday, August 26, 2024, at the Connelly Chapel of Wagner Family Funerals, 202 North Broadway Street, Cassopolis, concluding with a Masonic service under the auspices of Peninsular Lodge Number 10 F. & AM. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at 2 p.m. with further calls beginning at 1 p.m. John will be interred in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Cassopolis. The family prefers that donations in John’s memory be made to either the Cassopolis United Methodist Church, PO Box 175, 209 South Rowland Street, Cassopolis, Michigan 49031, or to the Sam Adams Elementary School Backpack Program, care of the Michigan Gateway Foundation, 111 Days Avenue, Buchanan, Michigan 49107, care of: Backpack Program. Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagner Family Funerals Connelly Chapel, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or message online: wagnercares.com.
Published August 27, 2024
