Obituary

Service: Friday, August 24, 2012, at 11 a.m. in Community Baptist Church

Calling: Thursday, August 23, 2012 - 2-8 p.m. in Young Family Funeral Home, Kendallville Chapel, 222 South State Street, Kendallville **************************************************

Bessie Conley, 82, of South Milford died Monday, August 20, 2012, at 8 p.m. in her residence.

She moved to this area in 1954, coming from Kentucky.

While living in Kentucky, she was an elementary school teacher at the Stone Building School House in Upper Quicksand.

Mrs. Conley was a member of Community Baptist Church near Wolcottville.

She was born March 15, 1930, in Yellow Mountain, Kentucky, to Grover Cleveland and Armenta (Gayheart) Messer. On April 28, 1953, in Garrett, Kentucky, she married Vern Conley. He survives in South Milford.

Also surviving are three daughters and sons-in-law, Lucretia and Mike McKenzie of Kendallville, Brenda and Ben Helmkamp of Avilla, and Sandy and Don Mertz of Portage, Michigan; a son and daughter-in-law, Chad and Missy Conley of South Milford; 11 grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; and a brother, Truman Messer of Martin, Kentucky.

She was preceded in death by nine brothers and sisters.

Funeral services will be Friday, August 24, 2012, at 11 a.m. in Community Baptist Church, Wolcottville with Pastor Lee Combs and Pastor David Stewart officiating. Burial will be in South Milford Cemetery.

Honorary pallbearer is Caden Conley.

Active pallbearers are Josh Mertz, Andrew Helmkamp, Stephen McKenzie, Ben Helmkamp, Mike McKenzie, and Don Mertz

Calling is Thursday, August 23, 2012, from 2 to 8 p.m. in Young Family Funeral Home, Kendallville Chapel, 222 South State Street, Kendallville.

Preferred memorials are to Parkview Noble Home Health and Hospice or to the American Cancer Society.

View a video tribute after Thursday or send condolences to the family at www.youngfamilyfuneralhome.com