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Alice Marie Rockelein, age 88, of Leonidas, died Saturday March 1, 2014 at the Heritage-Upjohn Community Care Center in Kalamazoo. She was born in Mattawan on June 24, 1925 the daughter of John and Loretta (McCarthy) Kelly. Alice was married to Joseph L. Rockelein in Paw Paw on October 11, 1952 and has resided on a farm north of Leonidas since their marriage. Alice was a homemaker who sewed for her family and enjoyed playing the organ. She was a member of St. Edward Catholic Church in Mendon, sang in the church choir, and was an Altar Society volunteer. She was also a Recipient Rights Advocated for A.D.A.P.T. Following their retirement she and her husband enjoyed travelling .
Alice is survived by eight children, James (Sally) Rockelein of Leonidas, Ronald (Amielia) Rockelein of Portsmouth, NH, Robert Rockelein of Centreville, Kenneth (Constanza) Rockelein of Duluth, GA, Jeanne Ann (Mark) Bankhead of Battle Creek, Mary Ellen Tompkins of Vicksburg, Karen Miller of LaGrange, IN, and Karol (Perry) Kirkham of Centreville; nineteen grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joe; a brother, John Kelly; and two sisters, Loretta Downs and Catherine Frary.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon where the Rosary will be recited at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. The funeral mass will be 11 a.m. Friday March 7, 2014 at St. Edward Catholic Church in Mendon With Rev. Jim Vinh Le officiating. Burial will be in St. Edward Cemetery. Memorials will be directed to the Heritage-Upjohn Community Center. Condolences may be left for the family at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com
