Cleo B. Kennedy
June 4th, 1936 - July 23rd, 2024
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Cleo's Obituary
Cleo Beth Kennedy, 88, of New Buffalo, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, with her loving husband by her side.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at Sommerfeld Chapel, 15 N. Barton St., New Buffalo, officiated by Rev. Kel Penny and Rev. Brad Bartelmay. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 9:30 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. on Saturday before the service. Memorial donations in Cleo’s name may be made to Water’s Edge United Methodist Church in New Buffalo www.h2oedge.org. Those wishing to sign Cleo’s Memory Book may do so online at www.sommerfeldchapel.com.
Cleo was born on June 4, 1936, in Alma, Michigan, to Harold and Dorothy (Lippert) Cook. She graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1954 and attended Central Michigan University. On January 21, 1955, she married Jack P. Kennedy in Breckenridge. Cleo dedicated her life to her family and their home. While raising their four children, Cleo and Jack owned and operated the Buffalo Motel in New Buffalo, retiring after twenty-five years. She then enjoyed working part-time at Carson Pirie Scott in Michigan City during the holidays.
Cleo was an active member of Water’s Edge United Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir and participated in Helping Hands, Vacation Bible School, and other events. She was also a member of the New Buffalo Service League for over three decades. When her children were young, she served as a scout leader for both Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts and was active in the school PTA. Cleo and Jack loved traveling across the US and abroad whenever they had the chance. In her free time, Cleo enjoyed sewing, cooking, and baking some of the most delicious dishes and desserts, and most of all, spending time with her family and many church friends. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend who cared deeply about everyone she met. Her kindness will be greatly missed by the community.
Cleo is survived by her husband Jack of 69 years; her children, Debra Kennedy of New Buffalo, Kurt (Debbie) Kennedy of Hollister, MO, Kay Gutzman of Michigan City, IN, and Kristine (Kent) Craft of Three Oaks, MI; ten grandchildren, Chad (Brandy) Kennedy, Jennifer (Artis) Caver, Mandy (Damon) Owens, Christopher (Alaina) Huston, Jessica Huston, Shawn (Jenna) Gutzman, Ryan (Kelly) Knoll, Rachael (Dan) Versaw, Rachel (Robbie) Whitfield, Brittany Craft; nine great-grandchildren; her sister Sandra Hoard of Atlanta, MI; and numerous nieces and nephews. Cleo Beth was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Russell (Judy) Cook.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at Sommerfeld Chapel, 15 N. Barton St., New Buffalo, officiated by Rev. Kel Penny and Rev. Brad Bartelmay. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 9:30 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. on Saturday before the service. Memorial donations in Cleo’s name may be made to Water’s Edge United Methodist Church in New Buffalo www.h2oedge.org. Those wishing to sign Cleo’s Memory Book may do so online at www.sommerfeldchapel.com.
Cleo was born on June 4, 1936, in Alma, Michigan, to Harold and Dorothy (Lippert) Cook. She graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1954 and attended Central Michigan University. On January 21, 1955, she married Jack P. Kennedy in Breckenridge. Cleo dedicated her life to her family and their home. While raising their four children, Cleo and Jack owned and operated the Buffalo Motel in New Buffalo, retiring after twenty-five years. She then enjoyed working part-time at Carson Pirie Scott in Michigan City during the holidays.
Cleo was an active member of Water’s Edge United Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir and participated in Helping Hands, Vacation Bible School, and other events. She was also a member of the New Buffalo Service League for over three decades. When her children were young, she served as a scout leader for both Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts and was active in the school PTA. Cleo and Jack loved traveling across the US and abroad whenever they had the chance. In her free time, Cleo enjoyed sewing, cooking, and baking some of the most delicious dishes and desserts, and most of all, spending time with her family and many church friends. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend who cared deeply about everyone she met. Her kindness will be greatly missed by the community.
Cleo is survived by her husband Jack of 69 years; her children, Debra Kennedy of New Buffalo, Kurt (Debbie) Kennedy of Hollister, MO, Kay Gutzman of Michigan City, IN, and Kristine (Kent) Craft of Three Oaks, MI; ten grandchildren, Chad (Brandy) Kennedy, Jennifer (Artis) Caver, Mandy (Damon) Owens, Christopher (Alaina) Huston, Jessica Huston, Shawn (Jenna) Gutzman, Ryan (Kelly) Knoll, Rachael (Dan) Versaw, Rachel (Robbie) Whitfield, Brittany Craft; nine great-grandchildren; her sister Sandra Hoard of Atlanta, MI; and numerous nieces and nephews. Cleo Beth was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Russell (Judy) Cook.
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