Iris M. Kelley, 91, of Atwood, Warsaw and Etna Green, peacefully entered Heaven to join her Lord and Savior and her husband at 3:45 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, at her residence.
Iris was born on Sept. 24, 1932, in Pierceton, to the late Clarence L. and Luella Irene Meredith Drabenstott. She was married on July 2, 1950, in Rochester, to Walter “Joe” Kelley. They were married 58 years until the time of his passing on Dec. 2, 2008. During their marriage, Iris was employed by Warsaw Coil for 39 years.
Iris was presently a member of the Mentone United Methodist Church and also Harrison Center E.U.B. Church of Etna Green, as well as the Word of Truth Ministries of Milford. Iris taught children's Sunday school classes for over 40 years. She loved keeping journals and had many entries of activities, achievements and humorous happenings of all her family. She loved watching Purdue University, the Colts and Walter Payton. Pictures of her kids, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her great-great-grandchildren filled her living room walls. Her Lord Jesus Christ and family were her most precious possession. The family would like to give a special thank you to Stillwater Hospice for their assistance through this difficult time.
She is survived by her daughters: Josie and husband, Lew Snell, of Walkerton, and their sons, Steve and wife Diane and Brian and wife Cali; Debra and husband Harry Stambaugh, of Mentone, and their son Thomas and wife Shelley and daughter Cortney and husband Zachary Pulsipher; and Pamela and husband William Wright, of Leesburg, and their sons James and wife Marianne and Jacob; sons: Michael and wife Dee Kelley, of Milford, and their son Rob and wife Lori Vance and daughter Rejeana and husband Kevin Mickem; and Philip and wife Fanny Kelley, of Atwood, and their sons Zachary and wife Heather; Bryce and wife Taylor, and daughter Rachel and husband Jed Snow; 29 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and sisters, Phyllis Bryan and Mary Stamper, both of Elkhart. Iris will be missed by many loving nieces, nephews and friends.
Iris was preceded in death by her parents; husband Joe; sister Patricia; brothers, L.C. and Daniel.
The funeral service will take place at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 4 at King Memorial Home, 101 N. Tucker St., Mentone, with Pastor Emily Gearhart and Pastor Michael Kelley officiating. The interment will take place in the Harrison Center (Wooden) Cemetery, Etna Green, following the service. Visitation hours will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 3 at King Memorial Home Mentone.
Memorial contributions can be made in her memory to the Mentone United Methodist Church, 116 E. Main St. Mentone, IN 46539; or to the Word of Truth Ministries P.O. Box 478 Milford, IN 46542.
Share a memory or send an online condolence at www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com.