DODGE CITY - Michelle "Shelley" Rose Keeley, passed away at SunPorch of Dodge City, Kansas on January 30, 2019.

Shelley was born on September 26, 1956 in Dodge City, the daughter of Thomas "Mac" and Alethea Hornung Keeley.

Shelley lived her whole life in Dodge City. She had Down Syndrome and she inspired her mother, Alethea to help in the process of founding Arrowhead West, and its support of Dodge City's developmentally disabled population.

Shelley attended the Special Education program at Richland Valley School until she was 21. Afterwards, she worked with Arrowhead West for a brief period before she decided to stay at home to help her mother.

Shelley was also a trophy winner in Special Olympics bowling and swimming programs.

Shelley enjoyed a lifetime of loving moments with her family and friends. She was very open and welcoming to everyone who visited the Keeley home, and she cherished her family outings to Spearville, Pawnee Rock and beyond. She always had a list of her favorites, told them that she loved them, and always remembered them in her night prayers.

Shelley had a special bond with her "Angel," niece, Mandy. Their relationship inspired Mandy to volunteer for numerous service-learning projects and was chronicled on Kansas City's KCTV in 2001.

At the end of her life, Shelley lived with the effects of Alzheimer's and was lovingly cared for at home by her dad, and her sisters Cheryl and Nancy. She also had some special caretakers that came into help care for her. She eventually moved to SunPorch of Dodge City, where she continued to receive loving care until her death.

Shelley was always fond of her Priests and was a member of The Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. She was active in the Church's Reach Program in her younger days.

Shelley was preceded in death by her parents, and a sister, Cheryl Keeley, of Dodge City.

She is survived by her sister Nancy Whitson and husband, Chris , of Dodge City, and two brothers: Bill Keeley and wife, Kathy, of LaCrosse; and Tom Keeley and Kim Provau, of Clearwater.

She also leaves behind her loving nieces and nephews: Mandy Whitson of Overland Park; Clint Whitson and wife Jenny, of Lenexa; Whitney Wempe and husband, Sam of Topeka; Mitch Keeley and wife, Kylie, of LaCrosse; Olivia Rice and husband, Kerby, of Hutchinson; Kip Keeley of LaCrosse; Colton Keeley and fiancé Megan Tronsgard of Wichita; Carson Keeley of Wichita; and Grand-nieces Reagan Rose Wempe, and Chandler Kay Wempe, of Topeka; and Grand-nephew Brady Rice of Hutchinson.

She is also survived by many favorite aunts and uncles. Don and Christy Hornung, Dodge City, Phyllis Stephenson of Spearville, Ron and Janice Hornung of Spearville, Irene Hornung of Berthoud, Colorado, Richard Hornung of Loveland, Colorado, and Merrilee Hester of Gilroy, California, also many beloved cousins, too many to mention.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated  on Monday, February 4, 2019 at 11:00 am at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dodge City, with Fr. Wesley Schawe presiding. Lunch will follow the Mass at the church. Burial will be at 2:00 pm Monday at St. John's Cemetery in Spearville, Kansas.  Visitation will be Sunday from noon to 4:00 pm with the family present from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Ziegler Funeral Chapel, Dodge City.

The family suggests memorials to the Dodge City Senior Center, Arrowhead West or the Sacred Heart School Endowment all in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.