Obituary of Henry Kelb

Hank was born on Wednesday, July 17, 1935, in Toledo, Ohio to the late Katherine & Edward Kelb and lived all of his life in the Toledo area. Hank would tell others that he was actually raised by his sister Barb. Hank's son Jeff was born during his first marriage to Beverly (Roehrig). After their divorce Hank married Clara (Erie) and although they had no children together, Hank & Clara always had a houseful of kids around and together with Bev provided a home for 'the boys': Jeff, Kevin, Tracy and Mike. Hank remarried Bev several years after Clara's death and they remained together until Bev's death in 2005. Most of Hank's working life was spent as a union employee at Doehler-Jarvis, retiring before their closure. After retirement, Hank worked several more years at The Pharm. Hank attended Calvary Bible Chapel and enjoyed many outings and activities with his church family. Hank loved kids and played Santa for family and friends every Christmas Eve that he was able. In addition, when his grand-children: Angie, Michael, Bradley, Brandon, Ryan, Ashley, Christie, Jessica, Kim, & Joshua were young, he also appeared as Barney or Winnie the Pooh for birthday parties. More recently, Hank enjoyed visits from his great grand-niece & nephew: Hailey & Alex. Hank always enjoyed animals from dogs and cats to fish and birds; and there were usually several of them in residence with him throughout his life until his move to Spring Meadows Extended Care in 2008 where he lived until his sudden death on Thursday afternoon, December 27, 2012. Hank was first a son and brother becoming a husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend to many later. Hank was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, two spouses, nephews Roger Roehrig and Tracy George, and great-niece Angela Defiore. He leaves behind his sister, Barb Gilmore; brother, Edward Kelb; son, Jeffery L (Melanie) Kelb; and other extended family members, Ilidia (Ray) Wiles and Melanie (Patrick) Lemay; along with many other friends and staff from Spring Meadows Extended Care and Calvary Bible Chapel. We will all miss him but can rejoice in knowing that we can see him again someday later in Heaven. Hank is, even now, in Heaven with God. Hank has just gone home, where he is happy, healthy, pain-free, and surrounded by friends and family that have been waiting with God to greet him. As arranged through Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 N. Monroe Street, Monroe, MI 48163 (734) 384-5185, friends may gather on Saturday, December 29, 2012 from 11am to 1pm at Bennett Funeral Service, 14567 South Dixie Highway, Monroe, MI 48161 (734) 241-7070. A Life Celebration Service is scheduled immediately following at 1pm officiated by Pastor David Anderson of Lighthouse of Hope Community Church, 24100 Huron River Drive, Rockwood, MI 48173 (734)789-7536.