Kenneth Earl Shelley

Kenneth Earl Shelley
Age 74
Kalamazoo Passed away November 18, 2010. Kenneth was born on September 27, 1936, son of Perry Shelley and Eyrcel Linderman, both of whom have preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Myrna J. Shelley, daughters Robin Kevin Lenkart of Mattawan, MI and Annette Shelley of Wyoming, MI and 5 grandchildren - Michael Kleckner, Allison Lenkart, Shelly Kleckner, Lauren Lenkart and Scott Lenkart, brothers Eugene Shelley, Robert Linderman and Jim Carr; numerous nieces, nephews, loved ones and friends. Subsequent to Ken's honorable discharge from the U.S. Marine Corp, he was hired as a firefighter for the City of Kalamazoo. He was later promoted to Deputy Fire Marshal, and retired in 1985 after 25 years of service. Ken was the first fireman to be cross-trained to Public Safety upon the merger of the departments. Upon retirement from the City of Kalamazoo, he joined Jack Hughes & Associates as an independent fire investigator. A few years later, he started his own successful fire investigation business, Ken Shelley Associates. Ken was past president of the Michigan Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators. He was an active member in several volunteer organizations as well as an experienced hunter and fisherman. He loved spending time at his cabin in Wawa, Ontario. Ken was well known for his dry sense of humor and story-telling ability. Ken had a passion for the people and wildlife of Kenya, Africa. Ken and Myrna, who recently celebrated 51 years of marriage, have made several trips to Kenya, Africa, where they founded Gateway to Hope Library. Services will be held Tuesday, Nov. 23 at 11 o'clock at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th St., Kalamazoo, MI 49009. Visitation will be held Monday, Nov. 22 from 3-7pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Gateway of Hope Library gatewaytohopelibrary.com.