1923
Arthur
2016
Arthur Clarence Mckelvey
April 1, 1923 — September 22, 2016
Arthur Clarence McKelvey, age 93 of Hastings, passed away Thursday, September 22, 2016 at Woodlawn Meadows in Hastings.
Art was born on April 1, 1923 in Maple Grove Township, the son of Harry E. and Stella M. (Harding) McKelvey. He graduated from Hastings High School in 1942. Art was inducted into the Army Air Corp in 1942 and served during World War II. He was with the 20th Air Force as a tail gunner on a B-29, stationed in Saipan. Art received numerous recognitions including three bronze stars for participating in the Battle of the Western Pacific, Eastern Mandates Crew and Air Offensive of Japan.
Before entering the service, he attended County Normal. After military service he earned a B.A. at Western Michigan College and a master's degree in Administration. He taught driver education and taught at Orangeville, Briggs, Pleasantview, Southeastern and Northeastern schools. He was principal at Pleasantview. Art retired at the age of 57 in 1982.
He married Joyce Goldsworthy on March 3, 1946. Art was a member of the Hastings, Michigan and National Education Associations and Hastings Board of Education. Art was a line dance instructor, 4-H Leader, Institutional representative for Boy Scout troop 3180, and lifetime member of the Confederate Air Force, which was dedicated to the restoration of WWII aircrafts. He was one of the founders of the Barry County Public Employees Credit Union, now known as Thornapple Credit Union.
Art and wife Joyce had a love of line dancing and country music. He was very active with the Barry County COA and was a lifetime farmer, raising livestock and crops. As a youth, Art was very active in 4-H and carried on the tradition to his children.
Art was preceded in death by wife, Joyce (Goldsworthy), parents Harry and Stella McKelvey, brothers, Clarence, LeRoy and James, sisters Marguerite, Marie, Laura and Susie.
He is survived by brother, Ted (Clara) McKelvey, sister, Margaret Wilson, sons: Dennis (Elsie), Jerry (Connie), Patrick (Becky), and a large number of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Monday, September 26, 2016 from 6-8 pm at the Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 at 11:00 am at the Girrbach Funeral Home, with Jim McKelvey officiating. Interment will take place at Wilcox Cemetery with full military honors provided by American Legion Post 45 of Hastings and Active Military Personnel.
Memorial contributions in Art's honor may be made to Lawrence J. Bauer American Legion Post 45, 2160 S. M-37 Hwy., Hastings, MI 49058.
The family expresses heartfelt gratitude for the wonderful loving care from Woodlawn Meadows Assisted Living, Hospice, Dr. Wildern and staff and all of the family.
Art was born on April 1, 1923 in Maple Grove Township, the son of Harry E. and Stella M. (Harding) McKelvey. He graduated from Hastings High School in 1942. Art was inducted into the Army Air Corp in 1942 and served during World War II. He was with the 20th Air Force as a tail gunner on a B-29, stationed in Saipan. Art received numerous recognitions including three bronze stars for participating in the Battle of the Western Pacific, Eastern Mandates Crew and Air Offensive of Japan.
Before entering the service, he attended County Normal. After military service he earned a B.A. at Western Michigan College and a master's degree in Administration. He taught driver education and taught at Orangeville, Briggs, Pleasantview, Southeastern and Northeastern schools. He was principal at Pleasantview. Art retired at the age of 57 in 1982.
He married Joyce Goldsworthy on March 3, 1946. Art was a member of the Hastings, Michigan and National Education Associations and Hastings Board of Education. Art was a line dance instructor, 4-H Leader, Institutional representative for Boy Scout troop 3180, and lifetime member of the Confederate Air Force, which was dedicated to the restoration of WWII aircrafts. He was one of the founders of the Barry County Public Employees Credit Union, now known as Thornapple Credit Union.
Art and wife Joyce had a love of line dancing and country music. He was very active with the Barry County COA and was a lifetime farmer, raising livestock and crops. As a youth, Art was very active in 4-H and carried on the tradition to his children.
Art was preceded in death by wife, Joyce (Goldsworthy), parents Harry and Stella McKelvey, brothers, Clarence, LeRoy and James, sisters Marguerite, Marie, Laura and Susie.
He is survived by brother, Ted (Clara) McKelvey, sister, Margaret Wilson, sons: Dennis (Elsie), Jerry (Connie), Patrick (Becky), and a large number of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Monday, September 26, 2016 from 6-8 pm at the Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 at 11:00 am at the Girrbach Funeral Home, with Jim McKelvey officiating. Interment will take place at Wilcox Cemetery with full military honors provided by American Legion Post 45 of Hastings and Active Military Personnel.
Memorial contributions in Art's honor may be made to Lawrence J. Bauer American Legion Post 45, 2160 S. M-37 Hwy., Hastings, MI 49058.
The family expresses heartfelt gratitude for the wonderful loving care from Woodlawn Meadows Assisted Living, Hospice, Dr. Wildern and staff and all of the family.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Arthur Clarence Mckelvey, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Girrbach Funeral Home, Inc.
Funeral Service
Girrbach Funeral Home, Inc.
Guestbook
Visits: 0
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors