Taylor Kelley

Taylor Danielle Kelley, 31, of Tippecanoe, passed unexpectedly due to a cardiac event at 11:38 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at her residence.

Taylor was born on July 3, 1993, in Peru, to Kurt and Lisa (Wilson) Wernz. She graduated from Tippecanoe Valley High School in 2012. On Aug. 15, 2015, she married Bryce Kelley in Akron; he survives.

She was passionately involved in animal rescue throughout the county. Known as Miss Taylor by her students at Little Lambs Preschool and most recently at the YMCA of Warsaw, Taylor taught for seven years. She had the biggest heart, was incredibly kind and loved children and animals deeply. Taylor was forgiving, silly and goofy, with the best laugh. She cherished spending time with her family and was a homebody who also enjoyed tubing on the lake and was a great swimmer and diver.

Together with her husband, Bryce, they were Notre Dame fans and loved cheering on their children’s various activities and sports. She enjoyed traveling to Kentucky and took great pride in dressing her children well and making sure their hair was perfect. Taylor will be remembered as an amazing wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend.

She is survived by her husband, Bryce Kelley, of Tippecanoe; children, Kooperlyn, Kashlyn and Krew; mother, Lisa Wilson, of Warsaw; father, Donnie Smith, of Peru; siblings, Brandy-Lei (Eric) Cody, of Macy, and Zack (Maci) Smith, of Rochester; grandmother, Colleen Gray, of Peru; cousin, Matt Wilson and fiancée Brittany; best friend, Danay Bowyer; mother and father-in-law, Phil and wife Fanny Kelley, of Atwood; brother and sisters-in-law, Zachary and wife Heather and Rachel and husband Jed Snow; and nieces and nephews, Charlotte, Maeve, Kannon, Winny, Ben, Will, Claire, Kennedy, Winter, Chase and Chance.

She was preceded in death by her father, Kurt Wernz (2018); infant son, Kohen; and a grandfather, Gerald Wilson.

The funeral service will take place at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at Etna Green Church of Christ, 206 W. Broadway St., Etna Green, with Pastor Jordan Ickes officiating.

Visitation hours will be held from noon to the time of the service at the church.

The arrangements have been entrusted to King Memorial Home, 101 N. Tucker St., Mentone.

Memorial contributions can be made in her memory to assist with her children by writing a check to “Lake City Bank to the benefit of Bryce Kelley.”

Share a memory or send an online condolence at hartzlerfuneralservices.com.