Albin Lawrence Kiella

Albin Lawrence “Al” Kiella, 97, entered his heavenly Glory on Thursday, December 28, 2023.  Mr. Kiella was born on June 8, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Ignatius Peter and Bertha Emily (Zalimas) Kiella.  Mr. Kiella attended Archbishop Quigley Catholic Preparatory High School where he was a certified lifeguard and a letterman on the swim team. Mr. Kiella was a first generation American and member of the Greatest Generation, having experienced and persevered through the Great Depression and WWII.

Following school, he joined his parents in Allegan, Michigan and went to work as the payroll accountant at the Blood Brothers Machine Company.  His foresight into the future of electronic computing and data processing sparked him to pursue pioneering studies at the IBM Institute in Chicago.  He assisted in bringing the first data processing center to Blood Brothers.  During this professional career he was instrumental in supervising computer operations at several large firms, including the Brunswick Corporation and Transamerica Insurance Company.  After retirement from data processing, he followed his avocation and became a Licensed Residential Builder, constructing and remodeling homes in both Allegan and Kalamazoo.

A devoutly spiritual man, Mr. Kiella was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Allegan, where he served many years as a Commentator and member of the Men’s Altar Society; and most recently, St. Thomas More Student Parish in Kalamazoo.  Mr. Kiella was an avid airplane owner-pilot, and with other local aviators was instrumental in initiating many modernization improvements to Allegan’s Padgham Field in the 1950s. Mr. Kiella had a special place in his heart and home for his rescued canine companions, the last of which Taylor, who was always at his side. He was a member of the Allegan Jaycees, The Ot-Well-Egan Country Club, and was a founding member of the original Lake Allegan Clean-up Committee.

Albin was united in marriage for 67 years to the love of his life, Phyllis Anne Malarney.  Mr. Kiella was intensely dedicated to his family. His final words are ‘it is now time to be with Phyllis in heaven; I love you all; and goodbye”.  Albin and Phyllis are the parents of Christine (Roger) Rice of Allegan; John (Suzanne) Kiella, Temple Texas, Dr. Patrick (Mary) Kiella, Traverse City; and Dr. Michael (Barbara) Kiella, Allegan.  In addition to his children, Mr. Kiella is survived by nine grand children; Matthew (Marissa), Kelsey (Sean), Nick (Melody), Layne (Zach), Lauren (Eric), Diana (Tom), Scott (Megan), Christopher (Erin), and Brooke (Parker); thirteen great-grandchildren; Isabelle, Walker, Jude, George, Kate, Jack, Liza, Sloan, Simon, Margot, Finley, Charlie, and Gemma; his brother Lawrence “Larry” Kiella in Florida; many nieces and nephews; and his sister-in-law Marge (Kincaid) Malarney of East Lansing. 

In addition to his wife, Phyllis, he was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother, Albert; sisters Petronele, Genevieve, and Bernice (Sister Mary Gemma, OP); and granddaughter Jacqueline Sue Rice.

In keeping with Mr. Kiella’s wishes, cremation has taken place.  A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Thomas More Catholic Student Parish Church, 421 Monroe Street, Kalamazoo on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 11:00 AM with visitation at the church beginning at 10:00 AM.  Private inurnment of the cremains will take place at Blessed Sacrament Cemetery, Allegan, following the service.

Our family would like to express its sincere gratitude to the entire team at Briarwood Assisted Living in Allegan; and to the hospice-palliative care team at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo for their excellent care. 

Memorial contributions honoring Mr. Kiella may be directed to St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Kiella Memorial, 421 Monroe Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49006.

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