Martin William Kelso

Martin William Kelso, 58, of Mackinaw City, MI passed away on Sunday, February 22, 2026.  Marty was born on February 3, 1968 in Cheboygan, MI to Donald and Jeanine (Mollen) Kelso, and was the oldest of four children.  

Marty grew up and lived in Mackinaw City his entire life, creating numerous lifelong friendships in that time. Marty had many fond memories from childhood through his passing with his cousins, aunts, and uncles. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling and was an avid collector. He was passionate about Nascar, a passion he shared with his father, and was a devoted lifelong fan of the Detroit Lions and Detroit Tigers. He was an incredible, loving big brother to his siblings, a hard worker, and a great friend to many. He enjoyed having conversations with loved ones, close friends, and even strangers he would meet while working, and had a great wealth of knowledge and sense of humor.

Marty worked at several local establishments throughout his life including delivering daily copies of the Cheboygan Tribune on his bike, as a cook at Downing’s Mighty Mac, Audie’s, Admiral’s Table, Squealy’s, and The Embers, as a bartender at the Keyhole Bar, and as Maintenance Manager and running the evening light shows at Mackinaw Crossings. He later worked as a Butcher and Assistant Department Manager at Family Fare in St. Ignace for 16 years. In 2022, he began working at Pier M33 On the Cheboygan with his sister, Lisa, becoming an irreplaceable part of the team as Assistant Dining Room Manager and Bartender. He will be missed by all of his coworkers whom he developed close relationships with and many customers who came to visit him each week.

Marty is survived by his sisters Lynne (Gary) Lesky of Harbor Springs and Lisa Kelso of Indian River, nieces Emily & Annie Lesky and Chelsey Sheldon, nephews Trent, Gage, and Asher Kelso, Jackson Grainger, Landon Kelso-Roberts, and Matt & Mike Lesky. He was preceded in death by his loving mother and father Jeanine and Donald Kelso Sr., and brother Donald Kelso Jr. 

The family will hold a graveside service for Marty on Monday, May 4th, 2026 at 1:00pm, at Lakeview Cemetery in Mackinaw City.

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