Nancy Ellen Kehrle

Nancy Ellen Kehrle, age 85, passed away peacefully at home on December 13, 2019, with her family surrounding her. Nancy was born in Akron, OH on March 8, 1934 to Vard and Mary Korns. She graduated from North High School in Akron in 1952. On June 20, 1953, she married the love of her life, Jerry Kehrle. Nancy accompanied Jerry on a wonderful journey of marriage, living many places in the United States as the wife of a Marine Corps officer. They also traveled the world together. Following military life, they settled in Buffalo Grove, IL, in 1971, where she worked as a library technician at Tarkington Elementary School, and later at a children's bookstore. In 1994, she and Jerry retired to Kalamazoo. She worked at Kalamazoo Public Library in the children's Ready to Read program. She was an avid reader and enjoyed music and working with children. She moved to Wyndham apartments in the Heritage retirement community in 2015. Nancy loved her time at Wyndham, making new friends and joining many activities where she described herself in a wonderful new chapter of life. Nancy dearly loved her lake home in Baldwin, MI, where she spent happy summers with family and friends. She volunteered in several capacities for the Girl Scouts of America, receiving awards for her dedication; she was a life-long girl scout. Throughout her life, Nancy volunteered for many causes and organizations. Recent interests included work at Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes, the Purple Poppy Society, the Wyndham choir, and Heritage Community Memory Care Initiatives. Nancy was a truly wonderful friend to many. Above all, Nancy was a loving and generous mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who inspired and supported her family unconditionally. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jerry in 1996, and loving sister Janice Griffith in 2016. She is survived by her three daughters and their families: Joyce (Mike) Siegel of Kalamazoo, their children Allison (Andrew) Haan and son Gerrit; Nick (Lindsay) Siegel and their daughter, Naomi; Julia (Rick) Johnston of Houston, TX, and their children Sarah Johnston and Paul Johnston; Dianne (Shelly) Kehrle-Sulser of Kalamazoo and their son Paul Ravenstone (Jennifer Smith) and their children Carter Ravenstone, Skye Ravenstone and Libby Smith. Nancy is also survived by many extended family members who were dear to her. In lieu of flowers, Nancy wishes donations be made to Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes, Girl Scouts of America Heart of Michigan, the Heritage Foundation Memory Care Initiatives and/or Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan. Nancy's family is thankful for the Wyndham Community residents and staff, West Michigan Cancer Center, and Avink Funeral Home & Cremation Society. There will be a gathering to celebrate Nancy's life on Thursday, December 19 at 1 o'clock, at The Wyndham Apartments multi-purpose room, 2300 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, 49001.