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Jack D. Carpenter 

Jack D. Carpenter of Jacksonville, FL, age 64, passed away Thursday, March 4, 2010 in Florida. He was born April 8, 1945 in Munith, the son of Ellis and Adeline (West) Carpenter. Jack was known for his sense of humor and he loved animals, especially birds, and was an animal rescuer. Most of all he was a loving brother and uncle. He is survived by five siblings, Carl Carpenter of Maine, Edsel Carpenter, JoAnne Arnett, Janet Carpenter, all of Chelsea, and Judy Jedele of Ann Arbor, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two siblings, Kelly Carpenter and Arnold Carpenter. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.

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Ima Jean Bauer 


Ima Jean Bauer of Chelsea, MI, age 75, passed away at the Chelsea Community Hospital on Saturday, March 6, 2010. She was born the daughter of Bill and Dolly (Flannery) Bradley in Martin, KY on January 27, 1935. On September 25, 1965, she married William Bauer and he survives. Jeanie loved to travel with Bill, especially to Hawaii. She enjoyed crossword puzzles and loved her dog Holly. Most of all she loved her family. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children, William (Cheryl) Scott of Parma, Tamara (David) Weber of Grass Lake, and Todd (Camille) Bauer of Grass Lake, along with Bill's children, Julie (Tom) Young of Ohio, Daniel (Sandy) Bauer, and Barton (Nora) Bauer both of Salyersville, KY. Also surviving is her grandchild, Tiffany Scott; sisters, Pearl Prader of Leslie and Myrtle Hicks of David, KY. She was preceded in death by her parents. Funeral services will be Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Steve Kincer officiating from the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the First Assembly of God in Chelsea. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.

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Donald Robert Schnebelt 


Donald Robert Schnebelt of Ypsilanti, formerly of Dexter, MI, age 75, passed away Saturday, March 6, 2010 at the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Superior Township, MI. He was born the son of Joseph and Alice M. (Johnson) Schnebelt on August 11, 1934 in Laingsburg, MI. Don enjoyed fishing and making his own games. He enjoyed reading comic books and news papers and also watching sports on TV. Faith and family were the two most important things in his life. Don is survived by his sisters, Phyllis Studer of Aledo, TX and Sr. Paraclita Schnebelt of Clinton, formerly of Dexter, along with many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Phillip, Ruth, Lorene, Joseph Jr. Lawrence, Audrey Boham, and Eugene Schnebelt. The Mass of Christian Burial will be prayed at the St. Joseph Catholic Village Church on Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. with Father Brendan J. Walsh Presiding. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorial Gifts may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church. The family will receive friends at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of Mass. Arrangements are by the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home.

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Rosetta Porath 


Rosetta Porath of Chelsea, MI, age 84, died at the Chelsea Retirement Community on Saturday, March 6, 2010. She was born the daughter of Joseph P. and Ora (Woods) Robinson on January 11, 1926 in Clay City, IN. On July 28, 1945, she married Warren Porath Sr. and he preceded her in death on May 28, 2008. Rosetta loved to cook and she is remembered for her noodles. She loved dogs, especially her Kody. She enjoyed fishing and traveling with her family. She was a loving wife, sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and will be greatly missed. She is survived by her children, Warren (Pauline) Porath Jr. of Chelsea, Larry (Linda) Porath of Charlevoix, and Shelly (Paul) Stringer of Flushing. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Mark (Lisa) Porath of New Port Ritchie, FL, Crystal (Steve) Heydlauff of Chelsea, Lucas (Jane) Porath of Charlevoix, Jacob (Amanda) Porath of Charlevoix, Aaron (Holly) Schurg of Traverse City, Ryan, Daniel, Joseph and Kathryn Stringer all of Flushing; great-grandchildren, Michael and Taylor Heydlauff, Kevin and Reece Porath, Kyle, Emma, and Jackson Porath, Foster Snell, Megan Porath, as well as Abbey and Aidan Schurg; brother, Joe Robinson; and sisters, Betty Farrell and Frances Weaver. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Gilbert and Louis Robinson. Funeral services will be at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Joy Barrett officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove East Cemetery, Chelsea. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Chelsea First United Methodist Church or the Arbor Hospice Foundation. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.

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Lynn J. Buege 


Lynn J. Buege of Ann Arbor, MI, passed away at home on Saturday, February 27, 2010. He was born November 20, 1940, in Ann Arbor to Howard and Elva (Dahnke) Buege, who preceded him in death. On August 6, 1967, he married his beloved wife of 42 years, Delores (Stanfield) Buege in Stockbridge. He graduated from Milan High School, Washtenaw Community College, and attended the University of Michigan. He was employed at the U of M Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics for 45 years. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, David and Paul (Sara); two grandchildren, Ryan and Olivia; two sisters, Gwen Buege and Nola (Dan) Musick; and his parents-in-law, Kenneth (Doris) Stanfield. Funeral services will be held Friday, March 5, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. from the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea, with Rev. Robert J. Freysinger officiating. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery in Stockbridge. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 4-8 p.m. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the American Cancer Society, Alzheimer's Association, or the charity of one's choice.

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Delores R. Whitesall 

Delores Ruth Whitesall of Grass Lake formerly of Chelsea, MI, age 84, passed away Sunday, February 28, 2010 at Country Meadows Nursing Home in Grass Lake. She was born on March 5, 1925 in Nason, IL, the daughter of Alfred and Mary (Resch) Machnik. Delores enjoyed working in the yard, talking about politics, and she truly loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. For 25-plus years she worked for Cunningham Drug Store in Ann Arbor. On December 23, 1944 she married Robert Whitesall and he preceded her in death. Surviving are four children, Tim (Pat) Whitesall of North Lake, Terry (Donna) Whitesall of Jackson, Dan (Denise) Whitesall of Chelsea, and Barbara Sue (Rudy) Hertlein of Ann Arbor; one sister, Virginia Migda of Plymouth; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Alfred and Arthur Machnik. A memorial service will be Friday, March 5, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. from the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea, with Rev. Joy Barrett officiating. Private burial will take place at Oak Grove Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy can be made to Hospice or the Charity of one’s choice. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service.

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Jeraldine Young 

Jeraldine ’Gigi’ Young, age 78, a long-time resident of Cavanaugh Lake, died February 7, 2010 in Chelsea. A party to celebrate her life will be held Sunday, March 14, 2010 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the Maples Room of Silver Maples, 100 Silver Maples Drive, Chelsea. Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home.

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Mary Jane Azzopardi 

Mary Jane Azzopardi of Pinckney, MI, age 82, passed away Saturday, February 27, 2010 at the Chelsea Retirement Community. She was born on June 18, 1927 in Gibraltar (Spain), the daughter of Phillip and Paulina (Abdilla) Abela. On November 8, 1947 she married Joseph Azzopardi in Malta and he preceded her in death on October 8, 2001. Mary had lived in the area since 1978, coming from Detroit. She is survived by her children, Tony (Grace) Azzopardi of Clinton Twp., Dorothy (Gary) Somervell of Gregory, Mary Adams of Stockbridge, Charlene (Mike) Summers of Stockbridge, and Frank Azzopardi of Milan; nine grandchildren, Tony (Jackie) Azzopardi, Jeff (Sarah) Azzopardi, Kristy Somervell, Rob Adams, Gary Somervell, Michael Adams, Jorden Summers, Joseph Summers and Raven Summers; seven great-grandchildren; and two siblings, Doris Cassear and Fred Abela, both of Malta. A memorial scripture service will be held Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. from the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea, with Deacon Richard Shaneyfelt officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until the hour of service. Expressions of sympathy may be made in memory of Mary to the Chelsea Community Hospital.

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Clifford K. Corrette, III 


Clifford K. Corrette III of Dansville, MI, age 39, died Friday, February 26, 2010 at the Helen Newberry Joy Hospital in Newberry, MI. He was born May 8, 1970 in Grand Rapids, MI, the son of Clifford Jr. and Carla (Baxter) Corrette. Cliff was an outdoorsman. He truly loved to hunt and fish, ride ATVs, and snowmobile. On May 9, 1992, he married Cheri L. Switzenberg, and she survives. Also surviving are two sons, KC (age 14) and Christopher (age 11); his parents of Mason, three brothers Michael (Jennifer) Fennema of Grand Haven, Jesse Corrette of Lansing, and Matthew (Tracy) Corrette of Mason; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Keith and Linda Switzenberg of Dansville; brother-in-law, Tom (April) Switzenberg of Mason; nieces and nephews, Alex, Jamie, Chelsea, and Melissa; grandparents, Betty Baxter of Lansing and Peter (Pearl) Willems of Jenison. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Dale and Alice Switzenberg and Clifford and Joan Corrette. Funeral services will be Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. from the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge, with Rev. Wes Emmerson officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Dansville. Expressions of sympathy can be made to the family. Visitation will be Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.

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Wayne Penix 

Wayne Penix of Dansville, MI, age 75, passed away Friday, February 26, 2010 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor. He was born August 17, 1934 in Salyersville, KY, the son of David and Lula (Fletcher) Penix. He had lived in the area since he was just a young boy, moving from Kentucky. He loved to hunt, fish, play pool, and was an avid MSU fan. He loved his family and kids. Wayne served in the United States Army from 1953-56 during the Korean Conflict. On August 10, 1956, he married Ernestine Young and she survives. Also surviving are three children, Timothy (Margaret) Penix of TX, Tina (Ken) Delor of Chelsea, and Wendy (Roy) Bedell of Rives Junction; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; four sisters, Betty Heinz of Eaton Rapids, Helen Allen of Stockbridge, Bette Farmer of Jackson, and Nellie Higgins of AZ; one sister-in-law, Bev Penix of Stockbridge; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Dlyn J. Penix; his mother and father; his step-father, Wayne Riggs; and his sisters, Louise Wright, May Penix and Flossie Fletcher, and one brother Calvin Penix. Funeral services will be held Monday, March 1, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. from the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge with Pastor Jeff Howard officiating. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the Parkinson's Association.

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Mark Edward "Ed" Southwell, Sr. 

Mark Edward "Ed" Southwell Sr. of Stockbridge, MI, age 63, passed away Wednesday, February 24, 2010. He was born February 27, 1946 in Cheboygan, MI the son of Mark and Lois (Brasseur) Southwell. Ed had lived in the Stockbridge area since 1993, moving from Dexter. He attended the Stockbridge Baptist Church. He also enjoyed the out of doors, especially hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling. He also enjoyed bowling. Ed served in the United States Army during Vietnam, serving three tours of duty. On April 30, 1969 he married Laura Lawrence, and she survives. Also surviving are one son, Mark (Kim) Southwell Jr. of Gregory; one granddaughter, Hailee Southwell; as well as four sisters, Valerie (John) Miller of Frederick, MI, Janet (Bill) Wolfe of Troy, Christine (Mike) Jungman of Novi, and Colleen (Dave) Wyss of Grayling. He was preceded in death by his parents. A funeral service will be held on Monday, March 1, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. from the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home in Stockbridge with Pastor Brian Johnson officiating. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family.

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James R. Stephens 

James R. Stephens of Springport, formerly of Hanover, MI, age 53, died Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at his home. He was born the son of Herbert and Martha (Turner) Stephens. Jim had worked on several dairy farms in the area, enjoyed hunting and fishing, but most of all loved his grandchildren. On April 9, 1977 he married Wanda Kay Catt and she survives. Also surviving are five children, Rebecca (Rubin Hall) Stephens of Marshall, Donna (Geno Weishaupt) Stephens of Leslie, Jessica (Robbie) Ackley of Hanover, Jesse (Abby Ackley) Stephens of Hanover, and Tanya (Ray Ward) Stephens of Horton; one brother, Cleo Stephens of KY; two sisters, Sadie Moorlock of Howell and Jean Day of KY; 11 grandchildren; and his father-in-law, Willie V. Catt of Leslie. He was preceded in death by his parents and his mother in law, Julie Catt. Funeral services will be held Friday, February 26, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. from the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge, with Parson Billy Allen officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family.

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Fred Graf 

Frederick Gottlieb Graf of White Oak Twp., MI, age 92, passed away Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at Ingham Regional Medical Center in Lansing. He was born November 18, 1917 in Louisville, KY, the youngest son of Gottfried and Anna (Dapp) Graf of Switzerland. He was actively involved in dairy and crop farming for over 75 years. He was one of the oldest members of the Millville United Methodist Church. He served on the Soil Conservation Board, Dansville School Board,and was active in MMPA and several committees at the church. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Theda (Glenn) Graf; one son, Glenn (Diane) Graf of Stockbridge; one daughter, Dorene (Chuck) Smith of Mason; one brother-in-law, Elmer Lytle of Munith; one sister-in-law, Irene Graf of Frankenmuth; five grandchildren, Renee Galbreath of Dansville, Jeffrey (Elizabeth) Graf and Lance (Erin) Graf of Stockbridge, Craig (Laura) Smith and Curt (Dawn) Smith of Mason; seven great-grandchildren, Paige and Brooke Galbreath, Gabriella, Preston, and Camden Graf, Madyson Smith, and Ryker Graf. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and two sisters. Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. from the Millville United Methodist Church with Rev. Robert Freysinger officiating. Burial will follow at North Stockbridge Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home on Friday from 4-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to S.A.E.S.A. (Stockbridge Ambulance) or the Millville U.M.C.

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