Marietta Ann (Massey) Kerner (82) of Ypsilanti, Michigan, formerly of Newton

Marietta Ann (Massey) Kerner, age 82, of Ypsilanti, Michigan, and formerly of Newton, Illinois, passed away at 8:05 PM Friday, December 2, 2022, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, surrounded by her family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM Saturday, December 10, 2022, at St Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Newton, Illinois. Burial will be next to beloved husband, in the New St Peter Cemetery, east of Newton, Illinois. Visitation will be held 5:00-7:00 PM Friday, December 9, 2022, at the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois. Her family welcomes you to her Celebration of Life on Saturday, January 7, 2023, from 1:00-4:00 PM EDT, at the Moose Lodge at 5506 Stony Creek Rd Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Marietta's favorite charities, St. Jude’s Children's Hospital of America and/or The Diabetes Association of America. The obituary can be viewed, and condolences left by clicking here.

Marietta was born on July 12, 1940, in Bogota, Illinois, the daughter of Eldon Eugene Massey and Josephine (Rauch) Massey and was the second youngest of their 8 children.

Marietta grew up in Newton, Illinois, and graduated from Newton High School in 1958. In high school she was part of the choir and drama club. After she graduated, she received her cosmetology license and opened her own beauty shop in Newton, Illinois. She was very proud to be a beautician and loved doing her daughters, granddaughters and grandsons hair when they were little. Marietta married the love of her life and fellow Newton resident, Leo Kerner Jr. on January 5, 1963, and they celebrated 40 beautiful years together. After their wedding, work and family brought them to Michigan and that is where they remained to build their life and family. Marietta worked at Ford Motor Company and proudly celebrated her 25 years there when retiring in 2002. She loved being a member of the Moose, enjoyed being with her friends, hosting her family on the Holidays and would always dance and sing the night away. She was a devout Catholic and was a long-standing member of St. Anthony's Church in Belleville, Michigan, where she enjoyed singing in their choir. Marietta was loved by so many and over the years gained the nickname "Mama Mary". Her heart was the purest, she cared for everyone around her, especially her family and her smile was infectious. She will be deeply missed but always remembered and celebrated.

Marietta is survived by Her Daughters - Valerie (David) Lombardi and Keitha (Carl) Reinhackel, and fur baby Josie; 4 Grandchildren - Kassie Marie Guilloz, Kayla Ann (Tim) Ly, Travis Lee Reinhackel and Garrett John Guilloz; 2 Brothers - Keith Massey and Robert Massey; And several nieces and nephews.

Marietta was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and her siblings Patrick Massey, Rita Koontz, Max Massey, Jerry Massey and Carolyn Woods.