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William G. “Bill” Moller
of Chelsea, Michigan
Age 91, died Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at his home.
He was born March 26, 1931, in Brooklyn, New York, the son of William G. and Marie (Kreitner) Moller Sr.
Bill graduated from Sewanhaka High School on Long Island in 1949. He earned his Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytech Institute in Troy NY. Bill was commissioned as a Naval Officer (3 years active duty during Korea). He worked for Union Carbide as a Product Engineer for 4 years. He earned his MBA from the University of Michigan in 1962, and his PhD in 1969, from U of M’s Rackham Graduate School. Bill did research at Syracuse from 67-72.
He moved to Chelsea in 1973, taught at U of M, and served 7 years as Associate Dean at the U of M Business School. He enjoyed reading, music, playing golf, and cross country skiing. Bill was a former member of St. Paul United Church of Christ, where he served on the board. He was a member of the RPI Men’s Honorary Society, co-captain of the Lacrosse team in college (made All American), and helped establish the Lacrosse team at U of M.
On December 28, 1957, he married Edith Miriam O’Hara. She preceded him in death on April 25, 2021. He is survived by his daughter, Diane (Brian) Sikkenga of Texas; son, Bill (Amanda) Moller of Chelsea; 1 niece; and 3 nephews. He was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Donald C. Moller and Glenn R. Moller.
A private graveside service will be held at North Lake Cemetery in Chelsea.
Memorial contributions may be made to Salvation Army.
Susan Bower
Sue peacefully fell asleep in death on March 17, 2023 at her home in Chelsea. She was 71 years old.
Sue was a loving wife and mother who loved her garden, and to cook. Anyone who came to the house never left hungry, she loved showing hospitality.
As one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, it brought her much joy to share her love for Jehovah and the Bible with others, whether in the door to door ministry in her younger years or sharing it with those she met in hospitals or in acute care facilities.
Sue is survived by her husband, Ben, her son, Ben, daughter, Abby, brother, John Freeland. Also by her many dear friends too numerous to mention.
Her memorial service will be held on April 9, 2023 at 2:00 pm at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses located at 17690 W. Old US Highway 12 Chelsea, MI 48118.
Melvin “Mel” Leach
of Chelsea, Michigan
Age 89, died Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at his home.
He was born April 27, 1933, in Chelsea, Michigan, the son of Clarence L. and Theresa M. (Schwab) Leach.
Mel served in the Army from 1953-55. He worked for the Village of Chelsea in the Wastewater Treatment Plant for 33 years. Mel was a member of the Rod and Gun Club and the American Legion.
On August 10, 1957, he married Barbara Wilson in Toledo, Ohio, and she preceded him in death on Dec. 8, 2019. Survivors include two daughters, Cynthia (Wesley) Mikesell of Fremont, and Susan Leach of Jackson; sons-in-law Adrian Carlino of Carlos Paz, Argentina, Daniel Spaulding of Jackson; 3 grandchildren, Nicole (Jason) Adams, Justin Degregorio, Anthony Degregorio; 4 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; and 4 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two daughters, Karen Carlino and Kathy Spaulding, and one brother, Merle Leach of Chelsea.
Funeral services will be held Monday, March 27, 1:00 p.m. at Cole Funeral Chapel, Chelsea, with Pastor Larry Lyons officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery, Chelsea. The family will receive friends Sunday, March 26, from 2-4 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Chelsea Rod & Gun Club or the American Legion.
Betty L. (Lausen) Pope
of Chelsea, Michigan formerly of Ann Arbor
Betty passed away just one day shy of her 100th birthday, yet the legacy of her strength, will and heart live on.
Betty was born March 15th, 1923, in Rockford, Illinois, beloved daughter of Howard and Bessie Lausen.
At the age of 15, she moved with her parents to Ann Arbor where she lived until moving to the Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC) in 2006.
During her 25-year career at Hoover-NSK she worked as a supervisor in sales paving the way for future women in business. Betty was passionate about her family, instilling integrity, a good work ethic and kindness to others.
Her surviving daughters are Barbara (Bill) Mieras of Katy, TX; Betty (Tim) Bredernitz and Marilyn (Mike) Taylor both of Ann Arbor; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren soon to be six. She was preceded in her death by a daughter, Patti Mueller and a son-in-law, Doug Mueller.
Betty enjoyed traveling, antiquing, craft fairs and exploring thrift shops.
No formal memorial service is planned, although the immediate family will have an informal gathering to celebrate Betty’s life at a later time.
Those wishing to can donate to Planned Parenthood and The Humane Society of Huron Valley in her honor.
The family extends a heartfelt appreciation to all the staff at CRC for the loving care and devotion shown to our beautiful mother.
Arrangements were entrusted to Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea.
Lois Ada Marie Gibson
of Brighton, Michigan
Age 89 passed away Friday, March 17, 2023, at Trinity Health Hospital in Ypsilanti.
She was born April 24, 1933, in Oceana County, the daughter of Earl Willard and Elizabeth Caroline (Boelke) Shirtum.
Lois graduated with a Bachelor’s of Education from Albion College and a Master’s Degree from Wayne State University. While raising her family, she and Harry fostered 5 children and hosted foreign exchange students.
With her family raised, she continued her devotion to service by teaching the visually handicapped in the Detroit Public School system for 20 years, retiring in 1995. Spare time was spent taking their grandchildren on adventures in education.
Lois was an active and devoted member of Immanuel United Methodist Church in Eastpointe, Grace United Methodist Church in Chesterfield Township and Chelsea First United Methodist Church in Chelsea. For 25 years in retirement, Lois volunteered first at Corewell Health (Beaumont) Hospital in Troy and then at Chelsea Hospital in Chelsea where she served as President of the Auxiliary.
Lois married Harry Wesley Gibson (surviving) on August 28, 1954, in Montague, Michigan. Other survivors include two sons, Cedric (Mary Kay) Gibson of Pinckney, Glenn (Beth) Gibson of Naugatuck, CT; and a daughter, Teresa (Scott) Harrison of Davisburg; 7 grandchildren, Laura, Adrienne, Emily, Elizabeth “Liz”, Jonathan, Rebecca and Matthew; 3 great grandchildren, Daniel, Olivia and Keegan. She was preceded in death by a sister, Nellie Switzer, and three brothers Robert, Ernst and Earl “Jr”.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 1, 11:00 a.m. at Chelsea First United Methodist Church, 128 Park St., Chelsea, MI 48118 with Rev. Joy Barrett officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Chelsea First United Methodist Church.
Arrangements were entrusted to Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea.
Theodore Cheever
formerly of Chelsea
Age 86, died Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at Glacier Hills Assisted Living surrounded by his family.
He was born June 4, 1936, in Hillsdale County, Michigan, the son of Gaylord Wilbur and Gertrude Mary (Bowditch) Cheever.
Ted graduated from Ann Arbor High School in 1954, and then joined the US Navy, serving from 1954-1957. He did heating and cooling work for the University of Michigan, and then started his apprenticeship with Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 190. He worked on the Fermi 2 Nuclear Power Plant, U of M Chemistry Building, North Creek School, Chelsea Hospital, and the Beach Middle School pool.
He was a member of the Chelsea Rod & Gun Club and Wild Goose Flyers (a radio-controlled plane club). He was passionate about model airplanes, hunting and fishing; he was a big U of M football fan, and loved to share stories.
Ted married Sara Ann Taylor on December 8, 1962, at Zion Lutheran Church in Chelsea, and she survives. He is also survived by his daughter, Radine (Alex Ellingsen) Cheever of Kalamazoo; son, Scott (Lori) Cheever of Chelsea; grandson, Jake Cheever of Chelsea; brother, Gary (Shannon) Cheever of Sun City West, Arizona; aunt, Jeri Bowditch of Jackson and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, March 21, 2023, 4:00 p.m. at Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea, with Rev. Kurt Hutchens officiating. The family will receive friends before the service from 3-4 pm. A private burial will be at Maple Grove Cemetery in Hillsdale, Michigan.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Health at Home or a charity of your choice.
Marilyn Lucille Mast
of Chelsea, Michigan
Passed away at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital on March 11, 2023.
She was born the daughter of Norman A. and Betty L. (Wahl) Hinderer on April 24, 1951 in Jackson, Michigan. On September 5, 1970 at Zion Lutheran Church, she married Ronald John Mast, and he survives.
Marilyn was baptized, confirmed, married, and will be buried at Zion Lutheran Church. She enjoyed gardening and growing flowers, baking, and being a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother. She enjoyed traveling to the GEHRKE Club near Hubbard Lake and playing cards, especially Euchre. Faith, family, and friends were everything to Marilyn.
In addition to her husband Ronald, she is survived by her children, Michelle (Kirk) Hedding and Jason (Debbie) Mast; grandchildren, Emma Hedding, Isabelle Mast, Madeline Hedding, Lily Mast, Ben Mast, and Charlotte Mast. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Marilyn Hinderer. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Donald Hinderer.
The family will receive friends at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home on Friday, March 17, 2023 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., and again at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of the service. A funeral service will take place at Zion Lutheran Church, Chelsea on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Kurt Hutchens officiating. The burial will follow at Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to Zion Lutheran Church.
Carolina Pauline Herman
of Swartz Creek
Age 88, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away March 4, 2023.
Carolina was born June 7, 1934 in Flint, the daughter of William and Caroline Bodek.
She married Robert C. Herman on July 6, 1956 in Angola, IN; he preceded her in death on March 7, 2007.
She is survived by her children, Dr. James (Debora) Herman, Janene Saidoo, and Jane (Michael) Koch; son-in-law, Dave Saidoo; grandchildren, Jeff (Rhonda) Herman, Jessica (Brian) Donat, Katie (Mark) Pulford, Kristine Herman (Shane Paeth), Nic Herman, Dr. Sydney (Robert) Nelson, Kayla Koch, Alison Koch, Casie (Austin) Garrett and Sean Saidoo; 21 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.
She was also preceded in death by her parents and by two brothers and six sisters. Many thanks to Brenda and Wilma for their special care, along with her church family at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Chelsea.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, March 11, 2023 at Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Rd., Swartz Creek, with Pastor Daniel Pezzica officiating. Private burial will take place in Crestwood Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9AM until the time of service Saturday.
In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make contributions to Our Savior Lutheran Church in Chelsea.
Gabriel Weinreich 1928-2023
Gabriel (“Gabi”) Weinreich passed away peacefully from natural causes on February 22, 2023 in Chelsea, Michigan at the age of 95.
Born on February 12, 1928 into the vibrant, Yiddish-speaking culture of Vilna, Poland (now Vilnius, Lithuania), Gabi escaped with his mother Regina after the start of the Second World War. Forced to travel east, they crossed the Soviet Union, the Pacific Ocean, and the continental United States before being reunited in New York City with older brother Uriel and Gabi’s father, Yiddishist Max Weinreich. Gabi quickly learned English, and graduated from George Washington High School in Manhattan at age 16.
Gabi enjoyed the family’s gift for language: in addition to being completely at home in English and Yiddish, as an adult he could converse in German, Russian, Polish, and French, and had reading knowledge of Hebrew, Latin, ancient Greek, Italian, and Aramaic.
After high school, Gabi studied physics at Columbia University, first as an undergraduate, then as a graduate student, obtaining his Ph.D. in 1953. He met his first wife Alisa (Lourie, d. 1970) in Los Angeles in 1948, and they wed in New York in 1951. After graduate school, Gabi worked at Bell Labs until 1960 when he joined the faculty in the Physics Department at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In 1971, he met and married his second wife, Gerane (Siemering, d. 2009), starting their blended family of five children.
Gabi enjoyed a lifelong passion for music. While still in high school, he studied composition with a former student of Rimsky-Korsakov. And for decades in Ann Arbor, Gabi hosted regular chamber music sessions, at which he loved to play the piano (he was largely self-taught) and the cello. He also enjoyed improvising at the piano, and accompanying himself on the songs of Tom Lehrer.
Later in life, a brain operation left him partially paralyzed, after which he laboriously retaught himself the piano, and the music of Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin, and especially J. S. Bach provided a comforting and healing focus for him in his final years.
In the mid 1970s, Gabi became interested in the physics of the piano and the violin, thus bringing together his passions for science and music. This work led to a long-term residency as a consultant at the Institut de Recherche et Coordination Acoustique/Musique (IRCAM) in Paris, France and a visiting professorship at the University of Paris.
During this period, Gabi also began to study for the Episcopal priesthood, and was ordained in 1986. He served as Adjunct Minister for St. Clare’s Church in Ann Arbor from 1985 to 1990, and then as Rector at St. Stephen’s in Hamburg, Michigan from 1993 to 1996.
Gabi was the author of several textbooks and a memoir, Confessions of a Jewish Priest (Pilgrim Press 2005), in which he explored the complexity of both his history and his faith. Gabi retired from the University of Michigan in 1995, and in 2005, Gabi and Gerane moved to Silver Maples in Chelsea, Michigan where they found a profoundly rewarding community that enriched them both until their deaths.
Gabi is survived by five children and stepchildren, Catherine Benamou, Marc Benamou (Raúl Ianes), Daniel Weinreich (Wendy Nelson), Rebecca Weinreich (Tara Rose Weinreich), and Natalie Benamou Scotti (Sergio Scotti); and by nine grandchildren, Thomas, Stephen, Shoshanah, and Ashira Weinreich, Thomas Wilson, Arianna and Valentina Scotti, and Aiyana and Emma Lao. He also cherished the more than 50 people he esteemed as “honorary children and grandchildren.”
He will be dearly remembered by many as a pathbreaking physicist, an inspiring teacher and mentor, a talented amateur musician, a Yiddish speaker, a man of faith, and a loving husband, parent, uncle, grandparent, and friend.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Arbor Hospice, Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice, or Jewish Family Services.
Funeral Services will take place at St. Clare’s Church in Ann Arbor on Saturday, April 1st at 2:30 p.m. Those unable to attend in person may contact the church for a Zoom link. There will also be a Memorial Celebration for sharing memories on Sunday, April 2nd at 1 p.m. in the Maples Room at Silver Maples retirement community in Chelsea. Contact [email protected] for additional information, including a Zoom link for those unable to attend.
Finally, remembrances are being posted to a memorial website https://sites.google.com/view/celebrating-gabi/home
Prudencio “Prudy” Claro Calado
of Gregory, Michigan
Age 71, died Sunday, February 19, 2023, at his home.
He was born May 4, 1951, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the son of George Celi and Leatrice Joy (Hall) Calado.
“The basic difference between an ordinary man and a warrior is that a warrior takes everything as a challenge while an ordinary man takes everything as a blessing or a curse.” ~Castañeda
Prudy graduated from Ann Arbor High School in 1969. He owned his own delivery service “P&C Delivery” in Ann Arbor, delivering tofu and other specialty foods to grocery stores and restaurants. In his younger years, Prudy was part of the Counter-Culture Revolution. This had a direct influence on the shape of his life.
Throughout his life, Prudy’s participation in cultural events, historical re-enactments, and the study of history, the world, and politics helped him develop many deeply held beliefs. With his warrior spirit and vast knowledge, he could debate anyone who believed otherwise. But, Prudy also had a fun and whimsical side that made him the life of the party.
He had a love for riding his V-Max motorcycle, Blues music, drinking beer, barbecuing, and having a good time with his many friends.
He was an amazing chef and barbecue master. His gamesmanship and competitiveness, in cards, darts, pool, bowling, video, and board games were always impressive. Later, he turned towards a love of the outdoors kayaking, fishing, and shooting his bow and black powder guns. It can’t go without saying that one of his true passions, which he shared with his grandson, was for bladed weapons including knives, hatchets, and swords. These and his black powder rifles were among his prized possessions.
Prudy also had a spiritual side in communing with nature. He was a friend to the many plants and animals that lived in his world. Prudy was a truly unique person who will be missed by many.
Prudy was father to his daughter, Julie (Danial) Dewyer of Gaylord, and grandfather to his grandson, Malachi.
A Memorial Barbecue will be held later this year.
In lieu of flowers, drink a beer or do a shot and give a toast to Prudy.
Therese Marie Scharphorn
Chelsea, Michigan
Age 91, died Saturday, March 4, 2023 at Legacy Assisted Living in Jackson.
She was born August 25, 1931 in Chelsea, Michigan, the daughter of Emmett Matthew and Oleta Freida (Hutzel) Hankerd.
Therese grew up in Chelsea, and was a Beta Sigma Phi member. She worked for thirty-five years at the Federal Screw Works as a purchasing agent. Therese was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church choir until age 85.
Therese was very active and enjoyed being outdoors on their farm. She and her sisters often gathered to create delicious preserves from the garden. Therese was a skilled quilter, making many beautiful quilts, which she shared with most of her nieces and nephews. Their farm included an airstrip and hanger, allowing her and David to make many trips across the country in their private plane.
On July 1, 1967, Therese married David Scharphorn in Chelsea, Michigan, and he survives. She is also survived by two sisters, Mary Houle, and Eileen Brooks; along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a brother, Paul “Bud” Hankerd; and three sisters, Jane Cecile Hankerd, Rose Ann Salvante, and Sr. Helen Hankerd.
A Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, March 9, 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Chelsea, with the V. Rev. Dr. William J. Canon Turner officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Chelsea. The family will receive friends at Cole Funeral Chapel, Wednesday, March 8, from 3-6 p.m., and at the church Thursday from 10-11 a.m. A Rosary service will take place Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church, 14200 E Old US Highway 12, Chelsea, MI 48118 or the Huron Valley Humane Society, 3100 Cherry Hill Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48105.
Wanda Lou Conner
of Grass Lake, Michigan
Age 80, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at her home with her family at her side.
She was born January 2, 1943, in Ypsilanti, MI, the daughter of Harley “Vern” and Josephine Betty (Green) English.
Wanda was a member of New Harvest Church (formerly Chelsea Free Methodist) and worked as the church secretary for 16 years from 1983-2000. She also served in the Sunday school nursery, and baby sat for Mastering Motherhood and she was active in Susie’s Shawls.
Wanda worked at a shop on Main Street in Chelsea called County Craftique. Wanda loved to read, crochet, and garden. She and Richard enjoyed traveling and visited Europe, Alaska, the Caribbean, and most of the U.S. They also lived in Southeast Asia during Richard’s military years.
On March 11, 1960, she married Richard John Conner in Ypsilanti, and he preceded her in death on July 27, 2016. Survivors include a daughter, Sara (Jeff) Smith of Grass Lake; two sons, Richard John II (Tammy) Conner of Grass Lake, Timothy S. Conner of Jackson; 4 grandchildren, Britt Hanson, Kali Staebler (Casey Maloney), Brandon (Krista) Conner, Joshua Conner; 3 great-grandchildren, Oliver Hanson, Elsie Hanson, Serenity Conner; 2 sisters, Nancy Johnson of Westland, Edith Christianson of Ypsilanti; 1 brother, Fred Colby of Belleville; sister-in-law, Kathy Conner; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Violet Murray; and brother, Arden Colby.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 11, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at New Harvest Church, 11875 Jackson Rd. Dexter, MI 48130, with Pastor Mark Hendricks and Pastor Larry Lyons officiating. The family will greet friends from 10-11 a.m. prior to the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to Arbor Hospice https://www.arborhospice.org/, New Harvest Church https://new-harvest.co/ or International Child Care. https://www.internationalchildcare.org/give. Arrangements were entrusted to Cole Funeral Chapel.
Marion J. Wortley Caledonia
Marion Jean (Zincke) Wortley 87, passed away Monday, February 27th, 2023, at Sunrise Senior Living in Cascade, MI.
She was born June 12, 1935, and raised in Chelsea, MI, the daughter of Grace (Conlin) and Armin Zincke. Marion graduated from Chelsea High School and shortly after married her loving husband Dean Wortley also of Chelsea. Marion and Dean were married for 60 years living most of their adult life in Battle Creek, MI.
Marion had a love for reading, birds, and all animals especially cats and dogs. Her love of dogs encouraged her to volunteer raising dogs for the Leader Dog Association. Marion later graduated from college in Mesa, AZ as an LPN. After returning to Battle Creek, she worked as a nurse at hospitals, doctors offices, and lastly Visiting Nurse Association.
She is survived by her son; David (Teresa) Wortley of Middleville, MI, daughters: Linda Miville of Vicksburg, MI, Elizabeth (Tracy Alan) Spencer of Battle Creek, MI, daughter-in-law Cindy (Bob Older) Older of East Leroy, MI. Marion has six grandchildren; Michele Whitlock, Karmen Wortley, Amy Spencer, Bethany Spencer, Danny Older, and Josh Gardner. Marion was preceded in death by her parents; husband Dean, son Robert, daughter Mary Jo Wortley (Jeff Gardner), son-in-law Ray Miville, grandson Bradley Older and brother William (Bill) Zincke.
There will be a small private service held for family.
Memorial donations may go to Gentiva Hospice of Grand Rapids.
George Arthur Merkel
of Chelsea, Michigan
Age 93, died Thursday, February 23, 2023, at Chelsea Retirement Community.
George was born on June 6, 1929, to Joseph and Florence (Latreille Doll) Merkel in a farmhouse across from the present-day Chrysler Proving Ground. In 1948, he married Nancy Ellen Clark, and their union lasted for the next 62 years, until death separated George from the love of his life. Together, George and Nancy parented seven children.
George began life as a farm boy, but tried his hand at many occupations over the years. To support his large family, George hauled milk from farm to dairy, drove a semi, owned a service station, owned a bar, and eventually returned to farming, an occupation which he enthusiastically continued until a stroke forced him into retirement at the age of 88.
Even after his debilitating stroke, George lived to farm again. Years after his stroke, although he was completely bed-bound, he spent his time dreaming of the crops he’d plant “next spring”. He was proud to be named as the Farmer of the Year at the Washtenaw County Agriculture Banquet in 2018. The same year, he received a Recognition Award from St. Louis Center.
George served his township as a trustee, his county as a county commissioner, and his church as a member of the 3rd and 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, serving at one time as Grand Knight of his local council and also as State Master. George also loved to celebrate his German heritage as a member of the German Park and the GBU. He was an Ehrenmitglied of the Schwaben Verein in Ann Arbor.
His love of travel took him to Hawaii and Europe with Nancy, and later he enjoyed many trips to destinations in Europe, as well as the Holy Land and Canada.
George is survived by 6 children: Michael Merkel of Azalia, Linda (Walter) Hahn of Chelsea, Ann (Rodney) Salyer of Bark River, Beth (Craig) Corwin of Pinckney, Theresa (James) Tietjen of Waxhaw, NC, and Margaret (William) Stech of Chelsea; as well as 13 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved Nancy, his oldest daughter, Ellen (John) Hall; his parents; his brothers, Joseph, Thomas, and Mark; and one sister, Monica Gauthier.
George’s family would like to express special thanks to his beloved caregivers, Frannie Franklin and Alan Laeder for going above and beyond to make his last years as comfortable as possible.
The Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, February 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Chelsea, with the V. Rev. Dr. William J. Canon Turner officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Chelsea. The family will receive friends at Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea, Monday, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 8:00 p.m. There will also be a visitation at the church Tuesday, at 10:00 a.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Louis Center, https://stlouiscenter.org/, the Humane Society of Huron Valley, https://www.hshv.org/, or Arbor Hospice, https://www.arborhospice.org/.
Webb Douglas Seegert
Manchester, MI
Age 86, died Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at his home.
He was born May 24, 1936 in Toledo, Ohio, the son of Theodore Peter and Phyllis Lou (Wadsworth) Seegert.
Webb graduated from Petersburg (Summerfield) High School in 1954. He worked at Chrysler for 34 years in Vehicle Impact and was a member of the UAW Local 1284. Webb was a member of the Manchester United Methodist Church and the President of Manchester Family Service. He enjoyed gospel music.
On July 1, 1961, he married Evelyn “Evie” Dresch and she preceded him in death on November 30, 2018. Survivors include his two sons, Randy (Cindy Bradstreet) Seegert of Hudson, Timothy (Rebecca Scherdt) Seegert of Manchester; three daughters, Tammy (Jeff) Crunkilton of Sparta, GA, Teresa (Timothy) Sannes of Grass Lake, and Alicia (Kim) Seegert of Tecumseh; six grandchildren, James (Jesi) Seegert, Ryan (Stephanie) Sannes, Joshua (Kylah) Sannes, Kristen Sines, Evan Seegert and Samantha Seegert; four great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Evelyn, and Everett Sannes and Stephan Sannes; two sisters, Helena “Anne” Wright and Dianne Gieske; and brother, Daniel Seegert, and sisters in law Barbara Dresch of Tennessee and Ethel Dresch of Georgia, and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 25 at 11am at the Manchester United Methodist Church, with Rev. Dillon Burns officiating. The family will receive friends at the church Friday from 4-8pm and Saturday from 10-11am. A private burial will take place at Oak Grove Cemetery in Manchester. Memorial contributions may be made to Manchester United Methodist Church, 501 Ann Arbor St, Manchester, MI 48158.
Arrangements were entrusted to Cole Funeral Chapel.
John William “Jack” Crump
of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Albion, Michigan
Died Thursday, February 9, 2023, at the age of 91.
Jack was born on January 18, 1932, in Santa Rosa, California, the son of John Richard and Helen (Skinner) Crump. He attended public school in his hometown of Sebastopol, graduated from Analy High School, and then attended Santa Rosa Junior College and the University of California, Berkeley. An excellent student, he was elected to Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Honor Society, and to Phi Beta Kappa in recognition of his academic achievement.
Following graduation from Berkeley, Jack traveled east to pursue a doctorate degree in chemistry at the University of Illinois. At Illinois, he was active in the campus Wesley Foundation, where he met Beverley J. (Bev) Hill, the love of his life. They were married in Urbana, Illinois, on June 19, 1955.
After completing his PhD in 1956, Jack accepted a position in research at Dow Chemical Company in Midland, Michigan. While at Dow, he taught an extension course through Central Michigan University that sparked his interest in teaching. He joined the faculty of Albion College in 1962 as an associate professor of chemistry and served as department chair beginning in 1969.
Jack’s passion for chemistry and the liberal arts inspired generations of Albion College students, and he continued to mentor many of them even after his retirement in 1997. Rarely seen on campus without a cup of coffee in hand, he greatly enjoyed collaborations with his colleagues in chemistry and beyond, including co-authoring two chemistry textbooks. His interest in a wide variety of subjects led to enriching sabbatical years at the University of Leiden (The Netherlands) in 1970 and Lucknow Christian College (India) in 1978.
When Jack and Bev moved to Albion with their young family, they had just finished construction on a new home in Midland, where Jack built all the cabinets in the kitchen. In Albion they purchased a historic home, the only house on tiny Cedar Street, and their inquiries into the history of the unusual house with a turret inspired a lasting interest in genealogy. Throughout their married life, they spent many hours and drove thousands of miles tracing their family roots.
Jack devoted his time to serving the communities where he lived. In Albion he served as a Cub Scout leader for Stephen’s scout pack, particularly enjoying the challenge of making racecars for the pinewood derby. With Bev, he chaperoned all three daughters’ Camp Fire Girls groups, leading them on camping trips and other adventures. He worked to support racial and ethnic diversity in Albion through his support for integration of the school board in the 1960s and contributed to the betterment of the town through his work for the United Way and the Albion Civic (Community) Foundation. He was a regular participant in the annual Crop Walk for Hunger and helped establish Habitat for Humanity in Albion. A lifelong Methodist, he was active member of the First United Methodist Church in Albion, where he especially enjoyed teaching the senior high school Sunday School class. After moving to Chelsea, he became a member of the First United Methodist Church of Ann Arbor, where his daughter Nancy is pastor.
Jack enjoyed spending time and sharing interests with his family and friends. His generally quiet demeanor was often punctuated by eruptions of laughter as he delighted in those around him. His children recall camping trips when he shared his love of the outdoors through fishing, hiking, skipping stones, and making blueberry pancakes over the campfire. He loved the woods and enjoyed identifying birds and many species of plants and wildflowers.
He and Bev shared a deep appreciation of music. They held season tickets to the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Detroit Symphony, and the Michigan Opera Theater for over 20 years. In 1998, they had the thrill of a lifetime when they attended The Elixir of Love at La Scala in Milan, Italy. Jack always enjoyed singing, and together he and Bev were founding members of the choir at the Silver Maples of Chelsea retirement community.
Jack pursued many of his lifelong hobbies at the Cedar Street home in Albion. He had a woodshop in the basement, set up a ham radio station in the furnace room, and enjoyed building fires in the basement fireplace. In the large back yard, he and Bev planted flower and vegetable gardens. He continued gardening after he and Bev moved to their home outside of Albion in 1984, developing a penchant for dahlias. After moving to Silver Maples of Chelsea, he continued his habit of voracious reading and enjoyed cooking, gardening, and attending concerts and other events.
Jack is survived by his wife of 67 years, Bev, and by his children: Stephen (Diana) Crump, of Sanford, Florida; Becky (Paul Gottschalk) Crump of Chelsea; Sandra (Paul Rardin) Crump of Havertown, Pennsylvania; and Rev. Nancy Lynn of Ann Arbor. In addition, he is survived by three grandchildren, Emmett Lynn Howard, and Lily and Violet Crump; nieces Julie Cohen, Kristen Hill, Cindy Atchley, and Christina Scott; and nephews Mike Spiess, Greg Scott, and David Hill. He was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Lou Spiess, and his parents.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on March 10, 2023, at Silver Maples of Chelsea, 100 Silver Maples Drive, Chelsea. At a later date, burial will take place at Forest Hill Cemetery in Ann Arbor.
Memorial contributions may be made to the John Crump and Paul Cook Research Scholarship at Albion College (albion.edu/jack-crump). The Silver Maples of Chelsea Retirement Neighborhood’s Silver Lining Fund (checks to Silver Maples of Chelsea, noting that the gift is in memory of Jack; or online at https://silvermaples.org/donate), or the United Methodist Committee on Relief (https://umcmission.org/umcor/).
Mary Ann Pappas
of Chelsea, formerly of Clarkston and Bay City
Age 89, passed away on February 20, 2023.
She was born May 31, 1933 in Alpena to Frank and Magdalene Spencer.
Mary Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Art; and her brother Malcolm Spencer, mother of Katie (Bob) Leach, Kit (Teri) Pappas, John (Candace) Pappas and Mandy (Tom) Higgins; grandmother of Alex, Spencer, MaryClaire, Madeline, Sophia, August, Elizabeth and Thea.
Mary Ann graduated from Central Michigan University and taught business at Clarkston High School. She lived in Clarkston for over 50 years.
Mary Ann was a kind, reliable neighbor and friend. She was an active member at St. Daniel Catholic Church until moving to Chelsea in 2014 where she was an active resident of Silver Maples Retirement Community.
Memorial Mass Saturday, March 18 at 11 a.m. at St. Daniel Catholic Church, Clarkston with visiting directly at the church at 10:30 a.m. Private interment Lakeview Cemetery, Clarkston.
Memorials may be made to Independence Township Library.
Arrangements entrusted to Lewis E. Wint & Son Funeral Home, Clarkston.
Barbara Jeanne Preston
Chelsea, Michigan
Age 92, died Friday, February 17, 2023, at her home.
She was born December 25, 1930, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the daughter of Gerald and Dorothy (Schade) Hepner.
Barbara lived on Pontiac Street and went to Donovan Elementary School which was on Wall Street. From there she went to Slauson Jr. High. High School was at Ann Arbor High School. She attended Alexander Beauty School and later had a beauty shop on Ann Street near the corner of Glen.
In her younger years, Barbara had great fun ice skating in the winter and swimming all summer long at the beach which was located on Long Shore Dr. on the north side of Ann Arbor. She and her sister, Gerry, had a great group of friends that they played with every day. She really had a great childhood.
Barbara drove a school bus in Ann Arbor and Chelsea for many years. She also worked at Arbor Hospice for seven years.
In 1952, Barbara married Robert B. Preston in Angola, Indiana. He preceded her in death on August 7, 1987. She is survived by their three children, John Preston of Roscommon, Robert (Linda) Preston of West Branch, and Gayle McMillen also of West Branch; six grandchildren, Laura, Robert, Amanda, Travis, Alex, and Tina; five great-grandchildren, Cory, Preston, Kia, Violet, Hayden, and one on the way; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Harold Crist; sister, Geraldine True; and granddaughter, McKinley McMillen.
No services are planned at this time. Memorial contributions may be made to the WAVE bus. Arrangements were entrusted to Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea.
Donald Bauer
Ann Arbor, Michigan, formerly of Chelsea
Age 86, died Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023 at Glacier Hills Care and Rehab Center in Ann Arbor.
He was born Sept. 19, 1936 in Chelsea, Michigan, the son of George Frederick and Ruby Mae (Hadley) Bauer.
Don worked as the Brake Department Supervisor at Chelsea Proving Grounds, retiring in 1988. He was a member of St. John United Church of Christ. He had been a member of Lima Township Planning Commission. Don enjoyed golf, carpentry, travel, family, friends, and cats.
On January 8, 1955, he married Leila C. Trinkle, and she survives. Other survivors include a daughter, Jeanette “Jeanne” (Jef) Spencer of Manchester; a son, Donald “Donnie” Bauer, Jr. of Chelsea; adopted son, Robert “Bob” Shipman of Chelsea; a brother, Robert Bauer; a sister, Barbara (Charles) Fredette; sister-in-law Jayne Bauer; as well as many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends at Cole funeral Chapel on Thursday, February 23, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Happy Hearts Feline Rescue, 10905 E. Pleasant Lake Rd., Manchester, MI 48158 or to Arbor Hospice, 2366 Oak Valley Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48103.
James “Jim” Lyerla
Chelsea, MI
Age 72, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, February 16, 2023 at his home in Chelsea.
He was born Nov. 19, 1950 in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Clifford and Bethel (Newbury) Lyerla.
Jim had lived all of his life in the area graduating from Chelsea High School in 1968. He worked at Chrysler Proving Grounds for 36 years and retired in 2006 and served the Army National Guard during the Vietnam War. Jim remained active at the Chelsea Wellness Center for many years and enjoyed bowling, softball, the Detroit Tigers and U of M football and basketball.
Jim is survived by one son, Robert Lyerla of Chelsea; two brothers, Thomas (Tokuko) Lyerla of Glendale, AZ, Steven Lyerla of Vandercook Lake; one granddaughter, Kylie Lyerla; and Mark Cook’s family. He was preceded in death by his parents and special friend Mark Cook.
At Jim’s request, cremation has taken place. A private graveside service will be held at Oak Grove East Cemetery in Chelsea, Michigan. Memorial contributions may be made to Michigan Diabetes.
Susan Long
of Chelsea, Michigan
Age 75, died Wednesday, February 8, 2023, in Ann Arbor.
She was born June 30, 1947, in Wyandotte, Michigan, the daughter of Edward and Marion (Dufour) Novack.
Susan was the life of the party and always made a grand entrance. Susan retired from GM Powertrain. She was a member of the Red Hat Society in Lincoln Park, and volunteered at Chelsea Community Hospital.
Susan is survived by her daughter, Wendy Suzanne (David) McGraw of Fairfax, Virginia; two grandchildren, Matthew and James McGraw; five siblings, Phyllis Stone of Riverview, Fred (Beverly) Novack of Waterford, Ronald (Suzanne) Novack of Novi, Dennis (Rose) Novack of Texas, and Mary Ann (David) Wilson of Rochester Hills; many nieces and nephews; special great-niece, Isabelle Lunsford; and nephew/godson, James Wilson. She was preceded in death by her brother, David John Novack; and two husbands, Paul Berdish and Gerald Long.
A funeral mass will be held Thursday, February 16, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Chelsea, with the V. Rev. Dr. William J. Canon Turner officiating. Burial will follow at Arborcrest Memorial Park, Ann Arbor, Michigan. The family will receive friends at Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea, Wednesday from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m., with a vigil service at 6:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Safe House, 4100 Clark Rd, Ann Arbor.
Jay George Hanke
of Gilbert, Arizona
Passed away in his sleep on February 1, 2023.
Born March 4, 1941, the only child of Carl and Mildred (Grabbenstatter) Hanke, Jay was nearly 82 years old when he passed after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease like his mother.
Jay grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and attended Ferris State University. Jay was an avid golfer and worked for the University of Michigan Golf Course where he met his wife, Kathleen Kreul. They were married on August 12, 1968. Jay and Kathy raised their family in Chelsea, Michigan.
His career was spent in Manchester, Michigan, for the plastics machinery division of Uniloy/Hoover Universal/Johnson Controls for 27 years. Following his retirement, Jay and Kathy moved to Arizona to be closer to their grandchildren. A devoted Michigan football fan, you could always find Jay in a navy Michigan sweatshirt, even in Arizona.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 54 years, Kathleen (Kreul) Hanke. Kathy was Jay’s caregiver throughout his illness with Alzheimer’s and showed true commitment to “in sickness and in health.” Jay is also survived by his two children Carol (Greg) Leicht of Gilbert, Arizona, and James (Kate Yost) Hanke of Ypsilanti, Michigan, as well as their spouses and five grandchildren, Alexis (fiancé Greg Carter), Sara, Ellie, Megan, and Ava.
Jay will be cremated at the Gilbert Memorial Park Cemetery & Funeral Home.
Carol Edman
of Chelsea, formerly of Ann Arbor and Cheboygan
(November 10, 1931 to February 6, 2023)
Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near…so loved, so missed, so very dear.
“Wow what a wonderful life I have had. I was born to Violet and Clayton Russ in Ann Arbor. I was the oldest sister to Stanley Russ, Marilyn Gibson and Judy (Jerry) Pace. We grew up on Broadway Street and created so many wonderful family memories.
I attended and graduated from Ann Arbor High School in 1949. I met this guy named Marshall Edman and I knew he was the one. We married on September 20, 1952, and were blessed with three children: Thomas (Diane), Karen, Mark (Stacey). Five grandchildren, Sarah (Paul) Strohbusch, Molly Edman, Tabitha (Eric) Stiller, Brandon (Jess-Fiancée) Edman, Nathan Edman. Great grandchildren, Ethan and Tucker Stiller, Emerson and Luke Strohbusch. We raised our family in Ann Arbor surrounded by many extended family and friends.
We had a house on Mullet Lake in Cheboygan, spending time there whenever possible and eventually retiring there and gaining another wonderful group of friends. I loved being a wife, mother, Nani and great Nani. I was active with the Lady Elks, bowling and golf leagues and our monthly Euchre group.
After moving north, we continued to golf in a senior group, became active in the Lions Auxiliary, Red Hatters, and Cheboygan Golf and Country Club. Marshall and I celebrated 61 years of marriage until he passed in 2013. I returned to Chelsea in 2017 to be nearer to family and have gained another wonderful group of friends at the Prairie Cottages. We loved our Tuesday’s of drinking wine and playing Euchre, as well as the time spent talking on the front porch. I have lived a full, blessed life surrounded by a wonderful, loving family and so many good friends.”
Fill not your hearts with pain and sorrow but remember me in every tomorrow. Remember the joy, the laughter, the smiles, I’ve only gone to rest a little while. Although my leaving causes pain and grief, my going has eased my hurt and given me relief. So, dry your eyes and remember me, not as I am now, but as I used to be. Because I will remember you all and look on with a smile. Understand, in your hearts, I’ve only gone to rest a little while. As long as I have the love of each of you, I can live my life in the hearts of all of you.
The family will receive friends at Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea, Friday, February 10, from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. A time of food and fellowship will follow at the Chelsea Fairgrounds Service Center.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, the U of M Cardiovascular Center, or a charity of your choice.
Cathleen Lynn Hall
Chelsea, Michigan
Age 63, died Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at Chelsea Hospital.
She was born March 30, 1959 in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Doug and Doris (Alexander) Taylor.
On July 15, 1978, Cathleen married Richard Currie Hall. He preceded her in death on April 24, 2022. Cathleen is survived by sons, Adam (Mallory) Hall of Grass Lake, Aaron (Heather) Hall of Buchanan, Luke (Liana) Hall of Unadilla; 9 grandchildren, Ava, Memphis, Adam, Kaitlynne, Zachary, Brayden, Harley, Jameson, Josephine; a brother, Keith Taylor; nieces, Autumn and Jessica; and nephews, Eric and Craig.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, Feb. 14, 11:00 a.m. at Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 10-11 a.m.
Phyllis Joan Kalmbach
of Chelsea, Michigan
Age 91, died peacefully in her sleep, after a short illness, Tuesday, January 24, 2023.
She was born July 18, 1931, in Ann Arbor Michigan, the daughter of Walter A. and Elsie M. Heydlauff Kalmbach.
Phyllis graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 1955, with a degree in education, and went on to earn a Master’s Degree from the University of Michigan. She taught elementary school, mainly second grade, in Jackson until she retired in 1989.
She was also an active member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority for many years. Phyllis was the organist for Salem Grove Methodist Church for over fifty years. She also served as the church treasurer, taught vacation Bible school many summers, and helped with the Christmas tree/Craft Sale every December.
Phyllis had many hobbies including sewing, knitting, and crocheting. She crocheted beautiful lace baptism dresses for two of her great nieces. She was very interested in genealogy and has done extensive research on the family tree. She loved to travel and went to Germany one summer with her cousin Gloria to visit Heydlauff cousins in Stuttgart. She also enjoyed a family cruise to Alaska with her brother and family, and, in later years, accompanying the family to Florida to celebrate the Christmas holidays.
Phyllis was an avid lifetime learner. She took advantage of the many opportunities offered at the Chelsea Senior Center, traveling, and taking genealogy and computer classes. She was also active in community service including Meals on Wheels. In addition to her family, one of Phyllis’s greatest loves was the family cottage on Clear Lake where she summered most of her adult life. She also loved the family farm and gazing across at the fields most summer evenings in her later years as she sat on the front porch of the old family home.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Walter A. Kalmbach, Jr. and her sister-in-law, Virginia Richards Kalmbach of Grand Rapids. Phyllis is survived and will be sadly missed by a niece, Ann (David) Kalmbach Moore of Caledonia; a nephew, Kevin (Debra) Kalmbach of Ludington; a great-nephew, Jeffrey Moore; and great nieces, Megan Moore, Marla Woodward, and Kayla Williams.
A graveside service will be held later in the year. Please check www.colefuneralchapel.com for updates.
Kenneth Clarence Toney
of Ann Arbor, Michigan
Age 84, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, February 4, 2023, at his home.
He was born September 28, 1938, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the son of Alvin R. and Lucille (Guenther) Toney.
Ken graduated from Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, and then joined the Army where he was a cook. He worked for Western-Southern Life Insurance for many years, retiring in 2003. In retirement, he enjoyed traveling to Alaska multiple times, working crossword puzzles, and working part-time for Parts Peddler delivering parts.
Ken was an avid fisherman his entire life, with his greatest “fish tale” being his 244 lb. halibut he caught by himself on his first trip to Alaska. Ken was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Chelsea, where he was very involved in church dinners, including lead chef for the Christmas dinners for 20 years.
Ken was awarded Humanitarian of the Year by Faith in Action in 2016. He also volunteered for the Chelsea Community Fair. He was very friendly, and enjoyed talking and joking with everyone.
Survivors include two daughters, Lyn (Michael) Frasson of Trenton, Jill (Steve) Atwell of Chelsea; and their mother, Jean Virgne; four grandchildren, Kayla Rivers, Lexis Frasson, Connor and Chelsea Atwell; one sister, Margaret (Frank) VanSchouten of Oregon; a special friend, Naomi Shepard; and Buddy the cat. He was preceded in death by his parents, his step-mother, Marie Rothfuss Toney, his sister, Shirley (Duane) Layher; and his brother, Carl (Kathy) Rothfuss.
Funeral services will be held Monday, Feb. 13, 11:00 a.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Chelsea, with Rev. Daniel Pezzica and Rev. Dale Grimm officiating. The family will receive friends at Cole Funeral Chapel Sunday from Noon to 4 pm.
Memorial contributions may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church or Faith in Action.
Patricia Joan Russell
Patricia died peacefully at the age of 92.
Born September 26, 1930 in Ann Arbor, Michigan to Walter Kranich and Edith White Kranich, Pat was the oldest of three daughters.
Pat attended Fritz Elementary School and Ann Arbor High School. On April 27, 1948 she married the love of her life Guy Patrick Russell. They made their home in Ypsilanti, Michigan until their move to Chelsea, Michigan in 1972.
Pat and Guy bought an 1860’s farm house and she delighted in keeping the farmhouse historically accurate. She inspired those around her with knowledge of period decorating. Pat was passionate about collecting primitives and other antiques that were period to her house. She was very knowledgeable about growing herbs and had beautiful herb gardens.
Pat was an incredibly creative person and was very generous with her time. She was involved with the Waterloo Farm Museum (Waterloo, MI) for many years. Pat was always kind, charming and elegant. She took delight in her family which she made the center of her life.
Pat was preceded in death by her husband Guy and beloved son Timothy John. She is survived by her adoring children Mary Therese Russell, Sandra Lee Russell, Hugh Patrick Russell (Donna), Michael Joseph Russell (Lois), Sue Ann Stamper (Michael), Rebecca Marie Dawson (Brett), Marilyn Kay Stanley, Elizabeth Irene Hadley (John Jarvis), Christine Brigitt Moore (Steve); grandchildren Joy, Brian, Megan, Laura, Jesse, Benjamin, Teresa, Travis, Rosemary, James, Amber, Jon, Stephen, Michael and William. Her family includes numerous great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandson.
Pat lived life to the fullest with a positive attitude, love for her family and delight in the world around her!
A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, Feb. 10th 11:00 am at St. Mary Catholic Church, with the V. Rev. Dr. William J. Canon Turner officiating. The family will receive friends Friday from 10-11 am at the church. Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Waterloo.
Arrangements were entrusted to Cole Funeral Chapel.
Lois Ellena Thurston
of Grass Lake, Michigan
Age 86, passed away Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at Chelsea Retirement Community. She was born April 25, 1936, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the daughter of Lewis and Rita (Tice) Elsifor.
Lois was a member of Silver Streaks and Silver Threads with the Chelsea Seniors and a member of the Waterloo Historical Society. She was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church and former altar care member. Lois retired from NSK Bearing Company in Ann Arbor, after 40 years of employment.
On January 7, 1995, she married Allyn J. Thurston in Lindsey, Ohio, and he preceded her in death on Feb. 14, 2014. Survivors include two sisters, Juliann Hatfield of Lakeland, MI, and Ruth (Keith) Hall of Smyrna, TN; as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Lewis Elsifor, Jr.; and sisters, Shirley Wilkinson, Rita Carter, Coralle Konesko and Nancy Meadows.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, January 31, 2:00 p.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Chelsea, with Rev. Daniel Pezzica officiating. A viewing will be held at Cole Funeral Chapel on Monday, January 30, from 3:00-6:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1515 S. Main, Chelsea, MI 48118.
Arrangements were entrusted to Cole Funeral Chapel.
Wanda “Sue” Wood
of Chelsea, MI
Age 82, passed away on Sunday, January 22, 2023 at the Chelsea Retirement Community.
Sue was born on February 28, 1940 in Salyersville, KY to Charles and Arizona (Castle) Patrick. She had lived in the Chelsea area most of her life, and graduated from Chelsea High School in 1959. On October 1, 1960, she married Don D. Wood, and he survives.
Sue loved gardening and was a charter member of the Evening Primrose Garden Club. She also enjoyed traveling as well as cooking and family get togethers, especially during the holidays. She also owned Especially Yours clothing store.
In addition to her husband, Don, she is survived by a daughter, Penny (Dave) Trinkle of Chelsea, a sister, Mary Casterline of Bellaire, and two brothers, Jack Patrick of Chelsea, and Chuck Patrick of Manchester; two grandchildren, Nichole and Kaitlyn, and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Kimberly Wood in 2018, and sister-in-law, Kathy Patrick.
A Graveside Service will be held this spring at Oak Grove East Cemetery in Chelsea. Memorial contributions may be made to the UMRC Heritage Foundation-Towsley Village.
Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home.
Peter J. Severn
Chelsea, Michigan
Age 94, died Sunday, January 22, 2023, at his home.
He was born December 2, 1928, in Elkton, Michigan, the son of Nelson and Mary Ann (Higgs) Severn.
Hailing from Elkton, a tiny town in the “thumb” of Michigan, Pete was first a state park ranger, and then owner-operator of a service station, before arriving at the U-M in 1960.
Pete was one of a handful of master glassblowers maintained on staff by major teaching institutions across the country. During his tenure, Pete created and manufactured glass objects integral to research through the U-M community. His work also provided items used in the world’s first artificial heart transplant as well as in NASA explorations.
Pete retired January 31, 1991. After retirement, Pete established his own business, a consultancy to various research and development concerns. He loved golf and put together a little series of golf outings for his department at U-M every summer. Pete also enjoyed playing the guitar and was a member of the First United Methodist Church.
On November 8, 1947, he married Nettie Esther Greenleaf. She preceded him in death on October 11, 2020. Survivors include his daughter, Sandra (William) Kulenkamp of Chelsea; grandchildren, Kristie Centilli, James Scott Centilli (Becky Raines), Laura (Robert) Hoshaw, and Michael (Tammy) Kulenkamp; great-grandchildren, Gavin Centilli, Isabella Centilli, Dylan Raines, Max Raines, Matthew (Tammi) Miller, Christopher Miller, Evan (Catie) Hoshaw, Joseph (Misty) Richards, Laura Richards, Ashten (Adam) Metzger, Nicholas Kulenkamp; great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Fred Severn; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Friday, January 27, 1:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, Chelsea, with Rev. Joy Barrett officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery, Chelsea. The family will receive friends at Cole Funeral Chapel Thursday from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. and at the church Friday from noon – 1:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, https://www.cancer.org/.
Francis “Frank” Xavier Colligan MD
of Ann Arbor
Passed away on Tuesday, January 17th, 2023 at the age of 82.
Frank was born in Ft. Wayne, Indiana the 7th of 10 children to Joseph and Marie (Hoffman) Colligan. He entered the seminary at age 14, eventually graduating high school and college from the University of Notre Dame and went on to attend medical school at Indiana University.
Frank married Judy (Miller) in 1965. He spent five years as a family practitioner in Topeka, Indiana before completing a psychiatric residency at the University of Michigan in 1978.
He joined Chelsea Community Hospital in Chelsea, Michigan where he practiced psychiatry for 37 years spending much of the time as Chief of Psychiatry. He finished his career at Livingston County Community Mental Health retiring shortly before his death.
When he wasn’t working, his many interests included Notre Dame football, playing tennis at Liberty Racquet Club, spending time with family and sailing his Rebel at the Colligan family cottage at Coldwater Lake in Michigan.
He loved reading the New York Times and drinking Starbucks coffee. He was a devoted follower of US politics and loved drinking a nightly Jim Beam Manhattan with his wife of 57 years.
Frank will always be remembered for his gentle, thoughtful and kind nature. He valued other people’s views and opinions, even when they differed from his own. One of his best qualities was his ability to listen, whether he was speaking with family and friends, or working with patients. He could always be counted on to provide gentle encouragement and advice without judgment or superiority.
He especially valued working as part of a team and often said he learned as much from the nurses he worked with as he had from his schooling or other physicians. He was truly an egalitarian.
He is survived by his beloved wife Judy (Miller) Colligan; loving children Kristin (Sergio) Scarcella, Mark Colligan MD, Molly (Michael) Maci, and Kerry (Merri Lynn) Colligan; siblings, Margaret and Stanley; grandchildren Julia, Joseph, Michael, Matthew, Thomas, Meghan, Madelyn, Mackenzie, Dallas (Nick), and Chase; great-grandchildren Collins and Killian as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Marie, and siblings Joan Robertson, Joseph Colligan MD, Paul Colligan MD, Charles Colligan, Mary Ortbals, Jerome Colligan PhD, Mary Ortbals, and Michael Colligan MD.
Visitation will be held at Nie Funeral Home – 3767 W. Liberty Rd., Ann Arbor on Friday, January 27, 2023 from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Funeral Services will be held at St. Mary’s Student Parish – 331 Thompson St., Ann Arbor on Saturday, January 28, 2023. Visitation at 12:15 pm and mass at 1:00 pm. Cremation will take place privately.
In lieu of flowers, the family of Dr. Colligan suggests donations to Livingston Community Mental Health Services in his honor. Donations may be made by sending a check to Livingston Community Mental Health Services – 622 East Grand River, Howell, MI 48843. Please make the check payable to Livingston County Mental Health Services and in the memo line please indicate “To be used as needed; honoring Dr. Colligan”.
Rodney Worden
Age 74, passed away Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Ann Arbor.
He was born December 22, 1948, in Jackson, Michigan, the son of R.V. and Doris K. (Lehman) Worden. Rodney was the older of twin brothers.
He lived his first year at his grandparent’s home in Munith, before moving to Chelsea with his family in the 1950’s.
At the age of 14, he was injured in a sledding accident, leaving him disabled in his right shoulder and arm. Rodney graduated from Chelsea High School in 1967. His disability did not keep him from working over 30 years in janitorial maintenance at Beach Middle School in Chelsea.
Rodney spent the last four years at an assisted living facility. He overcame several health issues, but could not overcome a severe infection.
Rodney is survived by his brother, Ronald Worden of Chelsea; an uncle, Richard Worden; an aunt, Betty Cowan; and several cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 24, 2-4 and 6-8 pm at Cole Funeral Chapel.
Marion Rose Lesniewicz
of Jackson, Michigan, formerly of Hamburg and Grass Lake
Age 96, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 13, 2023, at Legacy Assisted Living in Jackson.
She was born June 23, 1926, in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Frank and Sophia (Murski) Stabile. Marion belonged to St. Francis in Ann Arbor, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Ypsilanti, Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Brighton, and St. Mary Catholic Church in Chelsea.
Marion worked for Bell-Howell/UMI until she retired about 30 years ago. Marion was a great cook and loved her grandkids.
On June 22, 1946, she married Edward J. Lesniewicz at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Ypsilanti. He preceded her in death on September 26, 1987. Survivors include three daughters, Mary Ann (Stanley) Gilbert of Manchester, Diane Kampmann of Grass Lake, Patricia (George) Karam of Rockford; a sister, Theresa Hoopengarner of Florida; 7 grandchildren Michelle (Jim) Weber, Chris (Maryl Randel) Gilbert, Kirsten (Kenyon Adams) Kampmann, Erin (Dell) Willis, Jeff (Charlotte) Kampmann, George Edward Karam, Robert (Jamie Risdon) Karam, and 10 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a son-in-law, William Kampmann, and a sister, Margie Zielinski.
The Funeral Mass will be held Friday, January 20, 11:00 am at St. Mary Catholic Church in Chelsea, with the V. Rev. Dr. William J. Canon Turner officiating. A private burial will follow at St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery in Ann Arbor. The family will receive friends at the church from 10-11 am.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church, 14200 E. Old US Hwy 12, Chelsea, MI 48118.
Arrangements were entrusted to Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea.
Patrick Joseph O’Dowd
of Saline, Michigan
Age 86, died Monday, January 9, 2023. He was born November 15, 1936 in Detroit, Michigan, the son of John Michael and Katherine (Maloney) O’Dowd.
Patrick graduated from St. Theresa High School and went to the University of Detroit. He was a Social Worker employed by the State of Michigan. Patrick was very involved in the Capuchin Soup Kitchen. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church.
Survivors include his sisters, Margaret King of Westland, Eileen (Bill) Schott of Jackson; nephews, Michael (Carrie) King, Billy (Amy) Schott; great-nephews, Greyson, Joseph, John, Michael; a great-niece, Avery; and a good friend, Jody Croskey.
Burial will be at St. Hedwig Cemetery in Dearborn Heights, Michigan.
Arrangements were entrusted to Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea.
Johan Stohl
of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Albion
Age 89, died Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at Silver Maples of Chelsea.
He was born September 19, 1933, in Warren, Pennsylvania, the son of Harold and Louise (Cogswell) Stohl.
Johan was an Albion College professor, an ordained minister, and a member of the Unitarian Universalist congregation of Ann Arbor. Johan had an active social life at Silver Maples being a part of the choir, Silver Linings campaign, and promotional activities for Silver Maples. He was a published poet and a deeply admired professor; a beloved husband and family man.
His legacy includes the family cottage he built and the lives he influenced. Johan was known for his sense of humor and delight in life until the very end. Musician and carpenter, minister and teacher, he drank deeply from the well of life. Wherever he lived, he engaged in the community and left it a better place.
On June 13, 1959, he married Donna Lee Anderson in Stromsburg, Nebraska. Other family includes three children: Erik Stalhandske of Chelsea, Nathan Stohl of Ann Arbor, and Ingrid McIntyre of Beverly Hills; 7 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; along with 3 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Karin Shipley.
A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, January 12, 2023, 2:30 p.m. at Silver Maples of Chelsea, with Rev. Jeff Crowder officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Albion College-Religion Department, https://www.albion.edu/giving/.
Arrangements were entrusted to Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea.
Ronald Edwin Austin
Age 91, died Wednesday, December 28, 2022, in Chelsea, Michigan, where he was a resident of the Chelsea Retirement Community.
He was born November 30, 1931, in Oil City, Pennsylvania, the son of Thomas Clare and Mary Fern (Turk) Austin.
He was a graduate of Oil City High School, the College of Wooster, Ohio, and the University of Michigan School of Information and Library Studies. He was most recently employed as a Reference and Collection Development Librarian at the University of Michigan Graduate Library. He retired from that position in 1994.
On May 7, 1960, he married Anna Marie Breyfogle in Chicago, Illinois. She preceded him in death on November 13, 2014. Ronald is survived by a daughter, Mary Austin (Carl Smith) of Gaithersburg, Maryland; a son, Stephen Austin (Anna Parise) of Ridgeway, Wisconsin; and a daughter-in-law, Laura Dresser of Madison, Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by a son, David Austin; and a sister, Sara Hudgens (Alan). Also surviving are a niece and nephew; and four grandchildren, Galen Austin, Lucy Smith, Alyssa Austin, and Nelson Dresser.
A memorial service is pending at this time. Please check back for updates.
Memorial contributions may be made to UMRC & Porter Hills Foundation- Team Member Support Services East.
Delanie Claire Maute
On December 31, 2022 our sweet angel, Delanie Claire Maute, age 13, lost her courageous 10-month battle with cancer.
Through our grief, we can rest with the knowledge that she is no longer suffering and is now able to rest peacefully with our Heavenly Father.
Delanie was born on October 15, 2009 in Ann Arbor, Michigan and grew up in Chelsea, Michigan. Delanie loved all animals, she had many throughout her short life. She had two dogs that she adored named Malibu and Murphy and a guinea pig named Capy. She shared many stories about her 3 furry friends with the doctors and nurses that cared for her throughout these last 10 months. She spent a lot of time on TikTok and her feed was filled with dog, capaybara, Roblox and Marvel related videos.
We spent many hours when she wasn’t feeling well due to the chemotherapy watching Marvel movies one of her favorite characters was the Scarlet Witch. She also played many, many hours of her favorite video game Roblox. She recently started collecting Marvel memorabilia and fostered a video editing skill that she became really good at and even had a video or 2 go viral.
She enjoyed many sports throughout her youth, starting with gymnastics at the early age of 4. She switched to team sports as she entered middle school, preferring the comradery that they provided. She played softball, basketball and volleyball. Delanie was competitive and didn’t like to lose. This fighting spirit of hers helped her tremendously in her fight against cancer.
For Delanie, family and friends meant everything. Whether it was everyone gathering for large family dinners or just hanging out with a group of her friends, that was when she was in her element. Her infectious smile could light up the room and her spunk and sass would keep everyone entertained. What really made us proud though was her kind, giving spirit.
As Christmas approached and her cancer progressed, all Delanie was concerned about was making sure she could give presents to her friends and family. Receiving gifts was not important. She spent multiple nights in the hospital ordering last minute gifts to ensure everyone was taken care of. We were blessed to be able to have Delanie home for 5 days over Christmas and the memories of that time will live on forever with us.
Delanie is survived by her loving parents Darrel (Rebecca) Maute and Carrie Childs-Thor (Jamie); sister Elleri; stepsister Kali (Luke) Coppernoll, Jerica (Jesus) Thor-Arriaga; stepbrothers Hunter and Carson Presson, Jake and Dylan Thor; grandparents Ralph and Glenda Childs, Robert Maute and Sally Sherwood; step grandparents Gregg and Sharon Baxter, Fred and Lyn Thorand, Ronald Fargo and many loving aunts, uncles and cousins.
Visitation will be held on Friday from 2-8 P.M. at the Faholo Tabernacle, 3000 Mt. Hope Road, Grass Lake, Michigan. Funeral services to celebrate Delanie’s life will be held at 11 A.M. Saturday January 7, 2023 at the Faholo Tabernacle.
To honor Delanie’s memory and continue Delanie’s legacy, a memorial scholarship fund has been set up so Delanie can continue to give back. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in her memory. Donations can be made through gofundme https://gofund.me/39ae7fda or mailing payments to: The Delanie Claire Maute Scholarship Fund c/o Sherwood Funeral Home, 1109 Norvell Road, Grass Lake, MI 49240.
Special thanks to Delanie’s medical teams at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and Beaumont Children’s Hospital for all of their efforts. Also, a tremendous thank you to Aunt Missie Gatza for all of your kind, compassionate and caring love for Delanie.
