Harold McKendree Seelye
Harold McKendree Seelye, 87, of Richland and Jensen Beach, Florida; died Sunday June 19, 2005 at Amber Way in Kalamazoo.
Private family services will be held at a later date.
Arrangements by Farley-Estes & Dowdle, Richland Chapel.
Published in the Battle Creek Enquirer (MI) - June 21, 2005
Harold McKendree Seelye of Richland and Jensen Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully within the circle of all the members of his loving family on Fathers Day, June 19, 2005, at Amber Way in Kalamazoo.
Life for Harold began in Coldwater, Michigan, on December 30, 1917, when he was born the first son of the late McKendree “Mike” Othello and Marguerite (Wagoner) Seelye, both members of pioneer families of Branch County.
After graduating from Coldwater High School he moved to Battle Creek to attend Argubright Business College, from where he graduated in 1937.
He was first employed by Grand Trunk Railroad, later by Union Steam Pump Company and as personal assistant to Glenn A. Cross. He worked at Eaton Manufacturing Company during W W II.
Among Harold’s many hobbies and achievements was obtaining a private pilot’s license. He was a General Class ham radio operator and ran phone patches for the Air National Guard to their families, also relaying the news to the Enquirer and News from the earthquake in Alaska in the late 60’s.
Harold had many hobbies which he pursued until he perfected them which included US Power Squadron, fishing, woodworking, gardening, swimming, biking and songbird carving. One of his hobbies turned into a career when he purchased the M. Lillie Studio in Battle Creek in 1946. It was located in the Hart Hotel and later moved to Southwest Capital Avenue in Lakeview. He photographed many prominent people and events in that period creating many prize-winning photographs.
He was married to Dorothy Read of Richland on November 12, 1938, and together they operated the M. Lillie Studio for 30 years.
Harold was a life member of the PP of A, a member of the B. C. Exchange Club and past president of the Dale Carnegie Declamation Club. He was active in the formation of their condominium association in Florida. He built his first computer in 1972 and set up the computer data base for their condominium.
Harold was a high-principled man, devoted to his family and proud of their accomplishments.?
He leaves his wife of 66 1/2 years, Dorothy, and daughter, Sharon (Frank) Wichnal of Battle Creek; son, Douglas Read (Diane) Seelye of Richland; grandchildren, Tina (Mark) Richardson of Galesburg, Kathy (John) Estes of Richland, Jeannie (Ross) Williams of Edwardsville, Illinois, David Read Seelye of Galesburg and Daniel Read (Jodi) Seelye of Chicago; and three great-grandchildren, Brandon, Justin and Stephanie Richardson of Galesburg.
He leaves a brother, Robert Eugene (Alice) Seelye of Pensacola, Florida; brother-in-law, Robert Robinson of Richland and several nephews and nieces.
Harold was predeceased by his sister, Katherine Claus of Pocatello, Idaho.
The Seelyes loved to travel in the United States and abroad and made trips to Europe, the Orient and Mexico. Upon retirement they spent time traveling in their Airstream trailer and divided their time between homes in Richland and Jensen Beach, Florida. Harold was a charter member of Gull Lake Area Community Church.
In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place and his life was celebrated at a private family memorial with Rev. Jim Hill officiating.
Burial was at the Prairie Home Cemetery in Richland.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southwest Michigan, Heritage Community of Kalamazoo or Gull Lake Area Community Church.
Arrangements by Farley-Estes & Dowdle Richland Chapel.
Published in the Battle Enquirer, June 22, 2005
[Great-great-grandson of SGS # 3439 - Harold McKendree; McKendree Othello; McKendree Thomas; Thomas; Cornelius (# 3439); Daniel (#1554); David; Charles; Samuel; Jonas; Obadiah]
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