Rev. Dr. Kenneth B. SEELEY - Kalamazoo, Michigan, went to be with his Lord on Saturday morning, October 28, 1995. Ken was born June 18, 1905, in Omaha, NE, the son of Frank and Emma "Susie" (Palmer) Seeley. He graduated from High School in Omaha, NE; graduated from Cotner College, NE; ordained in the ministry in 1928; graduated from Butler College School of Religion in 1934; and received a(n) honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Butler University in 1957. He served the ministry in Pittsburgh, PA; Gary, IN, and Wichita, KS before coming to Kalamazoo in 1948. He was the pastor at Central Christian/Winchell (Disciples of Christ) Christian Church for 23 years. Then he served as pastor for 17 years at Bethel-Gilead United Church of Christ in rural Bronson, MI. When he retired in 1988, he had served the ministry 60 years. Ken was an active member of the community; he organized the committee; raised funds to purchase and maintain the Christmas Nativity for Bronson Park from 1970-1990; was a member Kalamazoo Ministerial Alliance-Grace Luncheon of which he was the secretary for many years; and he scheduled ministers to give the invocation for Kalamazoo City Commission meetings. Due to his love for summer church camp, for many years he was the director of Crystal Beach Christian Assembly in Fran(k)fort, MI. Ken was active in state and district Disciple of Christ and United Church of Christ activities, and was a member of the Board of Church Extension for Disciples of Christ in Indianapolis. He was Minister Emeritus of Winchell Christian Church, a member of Bethel-Gilead UCC. and a member of Portage UCC. He bowled on church and senior leagues, was an avid golfer, and loved music and singing. Ken married Ann McDivitt in 1935, who preceded him in death in 1958. Surviving are his wife of 35 years, Glenna (Fager) Seeley; 2 daughters and spouses, Lynn and Ross Bell, of Petoskey, Pam and Ralph Johnson, of Portage; 4 grandchildren, Stuart Bell, Christy Bell, Kevin Johson and Wendy Johnson.
A Service celebrating Ken's life will be held 1 o'clock Tuesday at the Christian Church-Disciples of Christ (2208 Winchell Ave) with Rev. Mr. Robert Thornton, Rev. Dr. James Fung, and Rev. Mr. Charles Kutz-Marks officiating. A private family interment will be held in Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family respectfully suggests that you consider contributions to Crystal Conference Center, Visiting Nurses Association of Southwest, MI, or the Bronson Park Nativity Scene. Arrangements by Langeland Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick, A Trust 100 Chapel.
Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette, October 1995
[Great-great-grandson of SGS # 1993 - Kenneth Bruce; Frank Edson; Simon Veeder; Thomas Sweetman; David (# 1993); Jesse (# 620); Samuel; Nathaniel; Nathaniel; Nathaniel; Nathaniel; Robert]
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