Thomas J. Kerley
Thomas J. Kerley, age 90 of 4545 Funk Road, Shelby, died Thursday, April 21, 2005 at the Crestwood Care Center.
Tom was born February 9, 1915 in Stanford, Connecticut the son of the late Thomas J. and Margaret Agnes (Keeley) Kerley. He was a graduate of Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, PA and attended New York University school of engineering. He served in the United States Marine Corps in World War II as First Lieutenant and later in the Marine Corps Reserves being promoted to Captain. Tom spent most of his working life in the insurance business, the majority of the time with Shelby Mutual Insurance Company. During the course of his insurance career, he earned the degree of Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU). He retired as an assistant secretary of the company.
Tom was a member of Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Shelby where he served as a Eucharist Minister and was chairman of the finance committee; Knights of Columbus Council #1968, where he was Grand Knight for two years and was treasurer of Knicol, the council’s building corporation, for nine years; Shelby Red Cross Board; Shelby Planning Commission, serving six years as secretary and the Shelby Credit Union, where he served as the audit committee chairman.
He is survived by his wife, Norma (Smith) Schumacher Kerley, whom he wed on September 12, 1986; a daughter Joan Mulcahy of Lafayette, Colorado; a grandson, Thomas Mulcahy of Buffalo, New York; 7 step children, Daniel Schumacher of Wisconsin, Edward Schumacher, Jerry Schumacher, Timothy Schumacher, Steven Schumacher, Kay Fretag, and Lois Robertson all of Shelby; Several step grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Evelyn F. (Champagne) Kerley in 1985, an infant son, David Thomas Kerley, a sister Mary (Kerley) Curran, and a brother, James S. Kerley.
Friends may call on Sunday, April 24, 2005 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby where a Christian Wake Service will be conducted at 7:45 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 10: 30 AM at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church with Father Nick Cunningham officiating. Burial will be in Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Shelby American Legion. Memorial expressions may be made to St. Mary School or Macular Degeneration Research.