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Evadene Olive Sommer
Of Stockbridge, MI

Age 82, passed away in Dansville on August 17, 2008. She was born the daughter of Fay M. and Gladys L. (Smith) Townsend on October 17, 1925 in Dansville, Michigan. On November 17, 1944 she married Donald G. Sommer and he preceded her in death on October 31, 1992. Evadene enjoyed cooking family dinners and she ran the lunch program at the Stockbridge schools. She was a 4-H leader; Sunday school teacher; loved dancing and going to the race track; milking cows and working on the farm. She was a waitress at the Stage Stop from 1989 to 2006. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Evadene is survived by her children Brian P. (Cindy) Sommer of Webberville, MI and Doug (Terry) Sommer of Stockbridge, MI. Also surviving are her sisters, Helen Sharland of Stockbridge; Dorothy Humrich of Webberville, MI.; Mary Louise (Wynn) Boyce of Stockbridge, MI.; Geraldine (Melvin) Battige of Pinellas Park, FL. and Elaine Bunker of Dansville, MI. Also one brother, Loal (Helen) Townsend of Stockbridge, MI.. Grandchildren Melissa (Jimmy) Johnson; Eric (Dena) Sommer; Megan and Todd Sommer and one great grandchild, Chase Sommer. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald and brothers Rex, Howard, Roland Townsend; Charles and Ralph Galbreath and a sister, Mae Marie Waltz. Also surviving is her fiance’, Tony Chironis of Pinellas Park, FL. Funeral services will be Thursday at the Stockbridge United Methodist church at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Larry Rubingh officiating. Expressions of sympathy may be made to S.A.E.S.A. or the Stockbridge United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends at Caskey-Mitchell funeral home on Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. and Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.


James D. Quigley
Age 63, passed away at Bortz Heath Care of Ypsilanti on August 6, 2008. He was born the son of William Quigley and Cleo Doris (Owens) on November 2, 1944 in Chelsea, MI. A graduate of Chelsea High School in 1963, James loved NASCAR, and his favorite driver was Jeff Burton. He also loved dirt track racing with his family at the Butler Motor Speedway. James is survived by his brother Jerry Quigley of Ann Arbor and his sister Jeanette (Lon) Davis of Huntsville, AL. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers Larry, Duane, Carl and Ray. Funeral services will be Thursday, August 14, at 11:00 a.m. from the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home with Rev. Paul Marschke officiating. Burial will follow at Vermont Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 6-8 p.m.




Vonda Lee Schiller
Of Gregory, Michigan


Age 77, died of complications from Cardiac Surgery on Saturday, August 9th, 2008 at University of Michigan Hospital. She was born September 24th, 1930 in Clinton, MI to George Giles Dresselhouse and Mary Olean Denney. Lee graduated from Clinton High School 60 years ago. She later went to McPherson School of Nursing under President Kennedy’s Manpower program. She worked briefly at the VA and then spent 30 + years at the U of M Medical Center, first as a Cardiothoracic Nurse and later as a Dialysis Nurse. She was preceded in death by her former husband, Elwyn Schiller, her daughter, Lucy, and son, Chuck. She is survived by her daughter Audie Hampshire of Portland, Oregon, and son Neil Schiller (Diane) of Bloomingdale, MI. She is also survived by Leroy Schiller, son of former husband, grandson Erik (Steve) Hedenskog, granddaughters Jessica Schiller, Monica (Scotty) Wren, and Andrea (Wael) Shibly. Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will take place Saturday, August 16, 2008, 11:00 a.m. at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea, with Rev. Kathy Schell officiating. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Scleroderma Society or the Humane Society of Michigan.


Margie ’Sue’ Mosley
Of Munith, Mi.

Age 66, passed away Saturday, August 9, 2008 at Allegiance Health in Jackson, Michigan. She was born on September 29, 1941 in Lackey, Kentucky the daughter of Woorley and Zella (Slavin) Dooley. Sue had lived in the area since the mid 1960’s. For 29 years she worked for Jiffy Milling Company in Chelsea, Michigan. She loved to cook, visit with friends, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her world. On June 16, 1961 she married Jimmy D. Mosley in Kentucky, and he survives. Also surviving are four children, Tammy (Ben) Crum of Kentucky, Neatria (John) Bolin of Munith, Sam (Delbert) Stevens of Jackson and Randy Mosley of Munith; four grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren; three sisters, Carol Dooley, Linda Dooley and Ruth Sexton, all of Kentucky, and two brothers Glen Dooley of Dundee, and Jack Smith of Florida. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sons, Darrell and Charles Greg Mosley, and her mother-in-law and father-in-law Epp and Virginia Hoover. Funeral Services will be Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at 11:00 A.M. from the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea, with Rev. Elmer Burke and Rev. Robert Castle co-officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Munith. Expressions of sympathy can be made to the Mosley Family. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday from 6-8 p.m. and Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M.


Donald E. P Smith
Of Chelsea, MI

Age 83, died July 30, 2008 at home. Don was a Professor Emeritus of Education at the University of Michigan. He was born in Rochester NY, the youngest son of George and Mary Smith. After serving in World War II in the Psychological Warfare Unit of the 28th Infantry Division, he earned his B.A. at the University of Rochester, and received his Ph.D. in Psychology from Cornell University. He came to Ann Arbor in 1952 to teach at the University of Michigan School of Education. He was Director of the Reading Improvement Service from 1952 to 1970.

His publications include The Nature of Reading Disability, Child Management and A Technology of Reading and Writing (with his wife Judith), Anger Management (with Carl Semmelroth) and many articles and instructional materials in the area of literacy. He was a gifted teacher and mentor to his countless graduate students.

Shortly after retiring in 1990, he suffered a massive stroke, but confounded the doctors by recovering over the next few years. He focused on recovering his prowess in golf, and finally achieved a 37 on nine holes in 1994. He was a regular at the Chelsea Big Boy, where he especially appreciated the coffee, thin pancakes and pecan rolls.

In 1964, he married Judith Meyer, and she survives. Also surviving are his children, Sandra of Berkeley, CA, Julia (Jason Larke) of Saline, Zachary (Barbara) of Fredericksburg, VA, Kimberly of Northfield, MN and Joshua (Cherie Benoit) of Barre, MA. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Judith Lynn. His amazing grandchildren include Christopher Martiniak, Jacoby and Davison Smith, Liralyn Smith, and Cedulie, Remy and Vivienne Benoit-Smith. Also grieving his death are his sister-in-law-golf partner Sue Meyer, nephew Gordon Mercado, cousins-in-law Jean and Dave Wolter, and too many more to mention.

Cremation has taken place, and friends and family will gather at the Smith home, 2-6 P.M. on Sunday, August 3, to reminisce and celebrate Don’s life. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Arbor Hospice or to the Reading Recovery Council of North America.


Orla Sheathelm
Of Dansville, MI.

Age 98, passed away Sunday July 27, 2008 at Country Heritage Adult Care in Dansville. He was born on December 29, 1909 in White Oak Township the son of Henry and Emma (Howell) Sheathelm. Orla lived in the Dansville area all his life and was an active farmer for many years. He was one of the oldest members of the Millville United Methodist Church.
He loved to travel, plant trees, cut wood and work in his garden. He spent a lifetime planting and nurturing trees - maintaining the philosophy of planting a tree for each one removed. His efforts have resulted in farmland woodlots full of trees along with bulbs and shrubs he also planted. He will always be remembered for his sense of humor and that he loved to work! Surviving are four daughters, Joyce Thompson of South Haven; Janice (John) Smith of Hartford; Cheryl (Charles) Tobey of Battle Creek and Mary Mangles of Dansville; three sons, Harold (Laurene) Sheathelm; Dorwin (Kathy) Sheathelm and David (Karen) Sheathelm all of Dansville; 22 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren; also one sister June Stover of Williamston as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ethel (Thayer), and second wife, Wilma (Neu), two sisters, Dortha Walker and Gladys Warfle, one daughter-in-law, Roberta Sheathelm, one granddaughter, Kristen Thompson, and two grandsons, James Thompson and Carl Tobey. Funeral services will be Thursday July 31, 2008 at 11:00 A.M. from the Millville United Methodist Church with Rev. Robert Freysinger officiating. Burial will follow at Dansville Fairview Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy can be made to the Millville Church Building Fund or Sparrow Hospice Services. The family will receive friends at Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home in Stockbridge from 4 until 8 P.M. Wednesday evening.


Earl Eugene King Jr.
Of Pinckney, Mi

Age 47, died Saturday July 26, 2008 at the University of Michigan Hospital. He was born on September 17, 1960 in Connellsville, Pennsylvania the son of Earl and Shirley (Silsey) King Sr. Eugene had lived in the area for the past 30 years and was a carpenter employed by the Local Union 687 of Detroit. He enjoyed mud bogging and was the president and founding member
of the Gregory Mudders. Football, hunting, fishing, and NASCAR he truly loved. On July 14, 1990 he married Lori Ann Tipper in Pinckney, and she survives. Also surviving are two children, Jennifer (Oscar) Jurado of Chicago, and Jeremy King of Pinckney; his mother, of Pinckney, one brother, Scott (Kim) King, of Dearborn, two sisters, Beverly (Jeffrey) Carr, of Ypsilanti, and Kerry (Don) Kernicky of Pinckney; one granddaughter, Selena Jurado, and two sisters-in-law, Margie Tipper of Allen Park, and Ronda Brown, of Jackson. Also one brother-in-law, Jeff Tipper, of Saginaw, and his mother-in-law, Jessie Tipper of Pinckney. He was preceded in death by his father, Earl Eugene King Sr. infant sister, Brenda King, brother-in-law, Dwayne Tipper, and his
Father-in-law, Bob Tipper. Funeral services will be Wednesday July 30, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. from the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge with Rev. Wayne Jacobs officiating. Burial will follow at Pinckney Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy can be made to the family. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday from 4-8 P.M.


Wanda R. Hollister
Of Sheridan, Mi.

Age 68, passed away Sunday July 27, 2008 at her home. She was born on July 17, 1940 in Ohio, the daughter of Worth and Ethel (Puckett) Stapleton. She had lived in the are since 1992 coming from Texas. Animals, raising parrot, gardening going out to eat, and country music she loved. Surviving are two children, Charlotte Rose (Charlie Sharp) Smith and Carl (Janet) Hollister. Three sisters, Beulah Crockett of Gregory, Pauline Stapleton of Fenton and Mary Margaret Kool of Fenton. Three grandchildren in which she adored and loved. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Hollister Sr. and one son Wade Hollister. Funeral services will be Wednesday July 30, 2008 AT 1:00 p.m. from the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home Stockbridge with Rev. Robert Castle officiating. Burial will follow at Pinckney Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday from 3-6 P.M.


Robert Stoddard Martin
Of Chelsea, Mi.

Devoted spouse, father and grandfather, Robert Stoddard (Bob) Martin, age 85, died in Chelsea, Michigan on July 23, 2008. Bob was born on Feb. 19, 1923 in Staten Island, NY, the son of Robert V.E. and Henrietta (Stoddard) Martin, the eldest of three children. Ann Martin Lambertson of Burlingame, CA survives him. His brother Stoddard Martin of Bellwood, PA predeceased him. His family moved to Webster Groves, MO in 1939. In 1940, he met Margaret (Pat) Roth through the Webster Groves Presbyterian Church where her father taught Sunday School. On August 2, 1944, they were married there. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, his children: Nancy M. (Bernard, deceased) Podurgiel of Norwich, CT, Sallie M. (Steven) Foley of Ann Arbor, MI, Martha M. (Christopher) Conner of El Cerrito, CA and David R. (Nicole) Martin of Bellaire, MI, his grandchildren: Rebecca P. Ramirez, Bernard J. Podurgiel, Debra P. Wilson and Jennifer A. Podurgiel, Jessica, Lauren, and Robert Foley, Whitaker and Margaret Martin, Bryce and Connor Chapman, and four great-grandchildren. Bob graduated from Purdue University in 1947 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. He served in the U. S. Army as a staff sergeant in the Philippines during WW II. His career with Caterpillar Tractor Company began in Peoria, IL, and included moves to Jacksonville, FL, Potomac, MD and St. Louis, MO. He specialized in the sales and installation of diesel power generation units. For many years, Bob was a deacon, elder and Sunday school teacher in the Presbyterian church. He was an active member of the First Congregational Church of Ann Arbor, an associate member of the Church in the Hills (Presbyterian), Bellaire, MI and, at the time of his passing, a member of the First United Methodist Church of Chelsea. As a youth, Bob was active in the Boy Scouts of America, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. His life-long love of sailing began as a Sea Scout in that organization and continued with the summer tradition of enjoying Torch Lake, Michigan. He was an active member of the Torch Lake Yacht & Country Club, serving on the board of directors and as commodore. He created a curriculum and initiated a sailing school there. In retirement Bob and Pat moved to Ann Arbor, MI where he volunteered as a SCORE counselor. In 2003, they moved to Silver Maples Senior Retirement Community in Chelsea, MI. He enjoyed tennis, skiing and blacksmithing. In recent years, he volunteered each summer at YMCA Camp Hayo-Went-Ha on Torch Lake, a wilderness adventure camp for boys and young men. Funeral services will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Chelsea, 128 Park Street, Chelsea, MI on Tuesday July 29, 2008 at 11:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the "Robert S. Martin Endowment Fund" at YMCA Camp Hayo-Went-Ha (919 N.E. Torch Lake Drive, Central Lake, MI 49622). Bob established the Hayo-Went-Ha Clean Water Fund to preserve the pristine shoreline of his beloved lake, ensuring the camp's 104 year stewardship. Or, donations may be given to the First United Methodist Church of Chelsea (128 Park Street, Chelsea, MI 48118) or to Silver Maples Endowment Fund (100 Silver Maples Drive, Chelsea, MI 48118). Burial, at the convenience of the family, will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Bellaire, MI. Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell
Funeral Home, Chelsea.