Iona B. Kelch 1922-2002

WALLMEYER, SCHMITT, KELCH

Posted By: Marguerite (email)
Date: 11/27/2002 at 12:25:00

Iowa City Press Citizen / Cedar Rapids Gazette
Ann Arbor & Detroit & Vero Beach

IOWA CITY

Iona B. Kelch, 80, of Iowa City, died after an extended illness with family surrounding her on Friday morning, November 8, 2002, at her home.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, November 17, 2002 at the First United Methodist Church in Saline, Michigan, a reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her memory to the Kelch/Parker Scholarship for medical students at the University of Iowa College of Medicine c/o the University of Iowa Foundation, P.O. Box 4550, Iowa City, Iowa 52244-4550. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.lensingfuneral.com

Iona Kelch was born in Detroit, Michigan, on January 15, 1922, the daughter of Andrew and Anna (Wallmeyer) Schmitt. She married Paul Kelch on December 7, 1940 in Detroit, Michigan, and would have been married 62 years next month. Paul and Iona settled in Warren, Michigan, and raised their four children. Iona was a homemaker and raised the children, while Paul worked at the Chrysler Corporation in Detroit. In 1977, they moved to Vero Beach, Florida, where they stayed until July of 2001 when they moved to Iowa City to be close to family and their oldest son. Iona very much enjoyed the company and comfort of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren as much as they enjoyed her.

She is survived by her husband, Paul of Iowa City; three sons, Robert Paul Kelch, M.D. and his wife Jeri of Iowa City, Ronald Joseph Kelch and his wife Ursula of Oakland, California, and Raymond Earl Kelch and his wife Sue Ann of Saline, Michigan; her daughter, Susan Louise Ehred and her husband William of Allen Park, Michigan; six grandchildren, Randall Paul Kelch and his wife Kelley of Saline, Michigan, Julie Marie Balis and her husband David of Frankfort, Illinois, and Michael, Garret, Courtney and Nathan Ehred of Allen Park, Michigan; three great-grandchildren, Erin and Rhys Kelch and Sophie Balis; also many nieces and nephews.

Iona was preceded in death by her parents, and two sisters, Loretta and Doris.