Elaine Fay McCalla, age 103, of Chelsea, MI, passed away on August 9, 2025 at her home in Chelsea surrounded by her family. Elaine was born on January 30, 1922 in Royal Oak, MI, the daughter of Kenneth and Gertrude (Shearing) Rohrer.
She married the love of her life, Ralph Lincoln McCalla, on July 25, 1942 in Flint, MI, and they were married for 50 years. He preceded her in death on August 6, 1992. She had lived in Washtenaw County for 83 years, where they raised their six children. She worked alongside her husband and was co-owner of McCalla Feeds for many years. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, and she instilled the values of hard work and the importance of family. She was a wonderful baker of pies and german chocolate cake. She was a member of the Chelsea First United Methodist Church, where she was also a member of the Ruth Circle. She was also a member of the Pittsfield Union Grange.
Elaine is survived by four children, Carol Bilbie of Ann Arbor, Richard (Terri) McCalla of Chelsea, Howard (Doreen) McCalla of Chelsea, Kathy (Rod) Powers of Chelsea, daughter-in law, Susan McCalla, and son-in-law, Dennis Brewer; 16 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren with one on the way, and one great-great-grandchild.
In addition to her husband, Ralph, she was preceded in death by her son, Kenneth McCalla in 2005 , and a daughter, Nancy Brewer in 2022, son-in-law, Jim Bilbie in 2024; and three brothers, Keith Rohrer, Max Rohrer, and Hugh Rohrer.
Visitation will be held at the Chelsea Community Fair Sports Barn on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., as well as on Thursday from 3:00-4:00 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at the Chelsea Community Fair Sports Barn on Thursday, August 14, 2025, 4:00 p.m. Burial will take place at Oak Grove East Cemetery, with a dinner to follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Gentiva Hospice or the Chelsea Community Fair.
