Dr. Michael E. Kaelke, born March 10, 1939 in Macomb, Ill., to Ruth and Edwin Kaelke, died Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010 peacefully with family and friends by his side.
He received a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University, a master’s degree from Western Illinois University, and an Ed.D. from Michigan State University. He was president of both the Franciscan University (now Ashford University) in Clinton, Iowa, and Sheldon Jackson College in Sitka, Alaska.
He held many other professional positions during his career in education which culminated at the John McClure Snook Youth Club in Foley, Alabama where he served as director. “Mr. Mike”, as he was known at the club, will be remembered fondly there as a teacher, coach, advocate for young people and friend.
Survivors include his loving wife, Dania Kaelke of Foley; his mother-in-law, “Bootsie” of Tuscaloosa, brother-in-law, Kenny Foley, and sister –in- law, Linda Foley, of Tuscaloosa; three children, Mark (Michelle) Kaelke of Juneau, Alaska, Kim (David) Ellingson of Brainerd, Minn., and Kate Kaelke of Annapolis, Md.; and six grand-children, Ahna, Jess, Jake, Sophia, Maddie and Emma, all of whom will cherish his wisdom, strength, sense of humor and memories of all the good times.
Services will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17 at the John McClure Snook Youth Club, 1391 S. Cedar St., Foley.
A memorial fund for the construction of a gymnasium at the John McClure Snook Youth Club in Foley will be established at RBC Bank of Baldwin County.
