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Recent obituary: Alan Ross Conklin, Elmer Stanley Greenwald, Deborah Eunice Walker

Alan Ross Conklin, 89, died peacefully on Sept. 15, 2017, with family at his side.

He was born in Ypsilanti to Donald and Mertie Conklin on March 14, 1928 and married Lillian Mae Filsinger on June 27,1951.

Alan received his teaching degree from Eastern Michigan University and his Masters from University of Michigan. He worked at Chelsea High School, teaching biology and coaching football, basketball, baseball and track. He later served as principal at Beach Middle School. Alan enjoyed working with the youth, educators and administrators at Chelsea School District for 32 years.

Alan served in the Army Unit 36AAA at both Fort Bliss in Texas and Fort Meade in Maryland. He served as a sergeant working as an anti-aircraft guns trainer.

Alan grew up in Milan and enjoyed regaling family and friends with stories of escapades during his youth. He attended Methodist Church in Milan.

Alan and his family resided in Chelsea for many years. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time at the family’s cottage on North Lake. Alan also loved to golf and was a member of Inverness Country Club. Alan enjoyed camping and showing his family the USA.

In retirement, Alan and Lillian moved to Florida where he continued to enjoy golfing, fishing, family, travel and his community of Highlands Ridge in Avon Park.

After a recent reunion trip back to Chelsea, Alan expressed amazement that so many people would bother to come and see him. Told it was because he had made a difference, was a role model and a man of integrity, Alan replied, ” All I ever did was the next right thing.”

There will be a small family service to celebrate Alan’s life. A life well lived.

For the full obituary, please click here.


Elmer Stanley Greenwald of Chelsea, Ortonville, and Gregory, MI and Asheville, NC, age 98, died Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017 at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans.

He was born Nov. 22, 1918 in Luther, Michigan, the son of Emil and Louise (Berndt) Greenwald.

Elmer was a member of the Chelsea First United Methodist Church. He worked for Pontiac GM Truck and Coach. Elmer enjoyed being outdoors, fixing things and singing in a variety of barbershop style groups. He played golf and rode horseback into his 90s.

Elmer served in the submarine Trutta in the U.S. Navy during WWII.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Sept. 30, 1 p.m at Cole Funeral Chapel, Chelsea, with Rev. Joy Barrett officiating. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery in Stockbridge. The family will receive friends Saturday from noon until the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Starry Skies Equine Rescue and Sanctuary, 8133 W Liberty Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103.

For the full obituary, please click here.


Deborah Eunice Walker of Chelsea, Michigan.

Sadly, our loving wife, mom, grammie passed away at age 69, on Monday, Sept. 11, 2017 surrounded by her loving  family at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ypsilanti.

She was born Oct. 21, 1947 in Belleville, Michigan, the daughter of Lloyd Miller and Aprilla “Rubye” (Ulbick) Bates.

Debbie graduated from Ypsilanti High School in 1966. On July 1, 1967, she married Aram “David” Walker of Ann Arbor, Michigan. A few years later, after the birth of their twins sons, she started an in home day care to stay home with her children.  She ran her daycare in Chelsea for over 25 years. She loved caring for kids and was a huge part of many children’s lives. Parents always marveled at how she could accomplish so much and had such respect from all the children, and how sandwiches needed to be cut “the Debbie way” and her chocolate chip cookies were to die for.

A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, from 2-5 p.m., at the Chelsea Community Fairgrounds, with a service at 2 p.m., with Dennis Tabor officiating. A luncheon will immediately follow.

For the full obituary, please click here.

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