Irene Kelm
December 25th, 1936 - March 13th, 2024
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Irene's Obituary
Irene Kelm, 87, of St. Joseph, passed away on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at Corwell Health Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M., Thursday, March 21, 2024, at First Church of God, 2627 Niles Ave., St. Joseph, with Rev. Chris Spitters officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Friends may visit with the Family from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. at the Church. Memorial contributions in Irene’s name may be made to The First Church of God-St. Joseph or Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, https://billygraham.org/, Those wishing to sign Irene’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Irene was born December 25, 1936 in Munich, Germany to Simon & Rosa (Kapfer) Worl. Irene met her future husband Alvin Kelm while he was stationed in Germany in the United States Air Force. On July 6, 1957, she married Alvin, the love of her life, at First Church of God in St. Joseph. Irene devoted her life to caring for her home and her family. Later she assisted Alvin in the family business, St. Joe Fisheries, which specialized in fresh seafood and fried fish lunches, until their retirement in 1994. Irene enjoyed quilting, making works of art from Lake Michigan beach glass, and handmade cards with pressed flowers, which she sent to her friends and family for all occasions. She also enjoyed sewing, mending, and making articles of clothing for family and friends. What she loved the most was spending time with her children, grandchildren & great-grandchildren, who lovingly referred to her as Oma.
Irene is survived by her loving children, Susanne Kay (Tim) Conrad of Fennville MI, Gregory (Pamela) Kelm of Keller, TX, Mark (Sarah) Kelm of Fresno, CA, David (Kirsten Perkins) Kelm of Tampa, FL, and Dan (Fiance Beryl Ambia) Kelm of Benton Harbor; grandchildren, Kirsten (Spencer) Shelton, Micah (Dasha) Conrad, Delana (R.C) Martinez, Julia Kelm, Mia Kelm, Evan & Simon Kelm; great-grandchildren, August, Arya, Axel, Alora Shelton, and Layla Martinez. She was preceded in death by her husband Alvin on May 10, 2023, her parents Simon & Rosa; and her sister Hermine Harlacher of Germany.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M., Thursday, March 21, 2024, at First Church of God, 2627 Niles Ave., St. Joseph, with Rev. Chris Spitters officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Friends may visit with the Family from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. at the Church. Memorial contributions in Irene’s name may be made to The First Church of God-St. Joseph or Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, https://billygraham.org/, Those wishing to sign Irene’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Irene was born December 25, 1936 in Munich, Germany to Simon & Rosa (Kapfer) Worl. Irene met her future husband Alvin Kelm while he was stationed in Germany in the United States Air Force. On July 6, 1957, she married Alvin, the love of her life, at First Church of God in St. Joseph. Irene devoted her life to caring for her home and her family. Later she assisted Alvin in the family business, St. Joe Fisheries, which specialized in fresh seafood and fried fish lunches, until their retirement in 1994. Irene enjoyed quilting, making works of art from Lake Michigan beach glass, and handmade cards with pressed flowers, which she sent to her friends and family for all occasions. She also enjoyed sewing, mending, and making articles of clothing for family and friends. What she loved the most was spending time with her children, grandchildren & great-grandchildren, who lovingly referred to her as Oma.
Irene is survived by her loving children, Susanne Kay (Tim) Conrad of Fennville MI, Gregory (Pamela) Kelm of Keller, TX, Mark (Sarah) Kelm of Fresno, CA, David (Kirsten Perkins) Kelm of Tampa, FL, and Dan (Fiance Beryl Ambia) Kelm of Benton Harbor; grandchildren, Kirsten (Spencer) Shelton, Micah (Dasha) Conrad, Delana (R.C) Martinez, Julia Kelm, Mia Kelm, Evan & Simon Kelm; great-grandchildren, August, Arya, Axel, Alora Shelton, and Layla Martinez. She was preceded in death by her husband Alvin on May 10, 2023, her parents Simon & Rosa; and her sister Hermine Harlacher of Germany.
Memorial Contributions
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