Marlene Mae (Earle) Kelley, 88, of East Lansing, Michigan passed away on May 6, 2024 at home with family at her side. She was born of October 7, 1935 in Barryton, Michigan to Forrest and Mae Earle. Marlene graduated from Barryton High School in 1954. On August 24, 1955 Marlene married John Kelley. Their lives together would take them from Barryton to the Lansing area where they settled in East Lansing. She worked at Tom’s Party Store in East Lansing for over 30 years.
Marlene is survived by her children, Kathleen (Thomas) Thompson of Cadillac, Michael (Annette) Thompson of Portage, and John Kelley of East Lansing; grandchildren, Tamara (Tracy) Thompson of Cadillac, Michigan, Kelly (Lila) Thompson of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Cody Kelley of Lansing, Ashley Kelley of East Lansing, and Brooklyn (Roberto) Kelley of Lansing; great-grandchildren, Connor, Owen, Kaitlyn, and Cora Thompson of Kalamazoo; siblings, Marion Joan (Robert Houghton) Earle of Lansing, Russ (Carol) Earle of Barryton, David (Kandy) Earle of Barryton, and Ruth Earle of Barryton, and brother-in-law, Phillip Johnston of Reed City. She was preceded in death by her husband, John; parents, and siblings, Virginia, Rex, Max, and Edith Ann.
Marlene was kind and generous, who enjoyed gardening, traveling, sewing, knitting, and reading. Central to Marlene was her family and spending time with them.
Visitation for Marlene will take place on Monday, May 13, 2024 at the Gorsline Runciman East Lansing Chapel, 1730 E. Grand River Ave. East Lansing from 11:00 to 12:30 pm. A graveside service will follow at East Lawn Memory Garden.
