CHICOPEE – Everett L. Kerley, 87, of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Wednesday, December 21, 2016. He was born in Quincy, Illinois on October 5, 1929, a beloved son of the late Clinton R. and Zeta A. (Thomas) Kerley. He was raised in Illinois and, while serving in the United States Air Force, was assigned to Westover Air Force Base in the early 50’s. He settled in Chicopee where he lived for the remainder of his life. He served his country during the Korean War in the United States Air Force and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Following his military service, he became a Firefighter and later the head mechanic for the Chicopee Fire Department. His last duty assignment was at Headquarters where he retired in July of 1991. For many years, he served as the Union President for the Chicopee Fire Department. Active in his Catholic faith, he was a faithful communicant of Sainte Rose de Lima Church in Chicopee where he served as a collector and greeter. He was a former member of the Board of Directors at the Chicopee Municipal Credit Union and a volunteer at the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. He was a quiet man who cherished his family. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Rachel M. (Jette) Kerley who was Called Home on August 23, 2016. They were married on January 3, 1953 at Sainte Rose de Lima Church in Chicopee and were blessed with over 63 years of happiness together. Besides his parents and wife, he was also predeceased by his grandson, Michael J. Pietroniro; his two brothers and two sisters, Woodrow, James, Ethel and Willa; and his two brothers-in-law, Reverend Donald J. Jette and Raymond G. Jette and his wife, Evelyn. He leaves his five children, Michael L. Kerley and his wife, Elaine, of Williamsburg, VA, Donna M. Kerley of Chicopee, Carol A. Pietroniro and her husband, Vincent, of Feeding Hills, John E. Kerley and his wife, Gina, of Kingston, MA and Steven J. Kerley and his wife, Brenda, of Harleysville, PA. He also leaves his eight grandchildren, Beth, Kimberly, Jennifer and her husband, Nick, James and his wife, Ashlee, Samantha, Jack, David and his wife, Samantha, and Justin and his wife, Taraneh; and his seven great-grandchildren, Dakota, Cameron, Jack, Ryan, Rachel, Kyle and Beren. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Estelle Landry and her husband, Gerald, of Belchertown. His funeral will be held on Wednesday morning, December 28, 2016 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 7:45 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 a.m. in Sainte Rose de Lima Church, 600 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His Committal Service with United States Air Force Military Honors will follow the Mass at 11 a.m. in the Chapel at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, December 27, 2016 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parking lot and main entrance are located in the rear of the funeral home at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com