Rhonda K. Gibson

Rhonda Kerry (Humphries) Gibson, age 50, of Jackson, MI, passed away at home on March 20, 2020. She was born on July 8, 1969, daughter of Ferris and Dolores (Sonheaver) Humphries. 

Rhonda was a very giving person. She always took care of others before she took care of herself. A hard-worker, she held three jobs to ensure her kids were fed and cared for properly. She enjoyed kayaking and loved her kids with all her heart.

Survivors include her children, Amanda Gibson, Halley (Hayes) Lester, Ashley (Casey) Price, Lanika Buckley, and Lawrence Buckley; three grandchildren, Franky, Zella, and Lamera Yanas; and siblings, Steve Humphries, Joyce Humphries, and Glenda Humphries. Rhonda was predeceased by her brother, Keith Humphries.

A private burial will be held at a later date. Expressions of sympathy may be made to St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea Inpatient Behavioral Health in memory of Rhonda.

Brandon Lee Higgins

Brandon Lee Higgins, age 34, of Stockbridge, MI, passed away on March 24, 2020 at Henry Ford Allegiance Hospital. He was born August 13, 1985, the son of Arron Lee Higgins and Cindy Lynn Mullins. 

Brandon was self-employed as a carpenter and loved to work with his hands--he was exceptionally good at roofing. He grew up in Stockbridge, and lived in the area most of his life. Brandon had a warm personality and was well-liked by people who really knew him. He loved to eat, and his favorite was meatloaf with mashed potatoes and gravy. Brandon loved his family. He was good at getting under your skin, but he had a face that made it hard to stay mad. He was giving and would give you the shirt off his back. He had a good heart, a great sense of humor, and he was so much fun to be around. However, Brandon struggled with an inner battle that unfortunately robbed him from us too soon, and for that we grieve. Brandon struggles no longer because he dwells in a home that knows no sorrow. The blood is all he needs to pay for his sins. We miss him now, but we know we will see him soon.

Brandon is survived by his children, Chase and Carter Higgins; parents, Arron (Amy) Higgins, Cindy (Steve) Mullins; siblings, Danny Higgins, George Higgins, Winston Higgins, William Higgins, Alivia Higgins, and Jade Mullins; and aunts and uncles, Chris Higgins, Donna Fletcher Daniels, and John Arnett. He was preceded in death by his aunt, Mindy Lou Arnett.

A Graveside Service will be held on Friday, March 27, 2020, 1:00 p.m., at Plainfield Cemetery, Unadilla, with Rev. Adam Summers officiating. Funeral Directors are following current CDC recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic, and those in attendance will be instructed accordingly.

Expressions of sympathy may be given directly to the family. Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge.

Safely Caring for Our Communities

Our Funeral Homes remain committed and prepared to safely care for the families we serve during the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Whenever possible, we will continue to enable families to participate in the services that are most important and meaningful to them. We have chosen to follow the CDC guidelines, allowing a maximum of ten (10) individuals at one time who pass a screening process.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has declared Funerals and Memorial Services as Essential Business that are allowed to take place without the need for delay. In addition to funeral homes, cemeteries and crematories are included on the Essential Business list. We will also video each service and may make them available via our Facebook page and/or a digital file.

We recognize our responsibility to protect the health of those we are privileged to serve. We will continue to guide families, as we always have, in ways they can meaningfully pay tribute to their loved one, while adhering to the guidelines issued by the CDC.

Our staff remains vigilant about cleaning our facilities and ensuring we are following all recommended healthy habits, such as staying home when sick, cleaning surfaces, washing our hands, and covering coughs and sneezes. The CDC, Michigan Funeral Directors Association, and the local public health officials have offered guidance for funeral homes and other businesses on this topic, which we continue to follow.

Please contact us with any questions at 734-475-1444.

Pauline McCue

Pauline E. McCue, of Chelsea, MI, age 82, passed away at the Chelsea Retirement Community on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. She was born July 23, 1937 in Livingston, TN the daughter of Paul and Lurline (Ledford) McDonald.

She had worked as a meter reader for MichCon, retiring after 28 years. She was involved in planning the company picnics, as well as working the blood drive at MichCon. After she retired, she worked for K-Mart for 10 years. Most of all, Pauline loved her kids and taking care of her family. She was trying to care for her children right up until her last day.

She is survived by four children, Deborah E. Ledbetter, Lance M. McCue, Cynthia K. McCue, and John D. McCue; seven grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren; sister, Anna Grace Melton, and brother, Charles McDonald, as well as best friend, Tammie Tucker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Irving “Hap” McCue, and a son, Douglas P. McCue.

A private burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Women’s Center of Southeastern Michigan. Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.

Eleanor Cosgray

Eleanor was born on June 24, 1926, and passed away peacefully at home on March 16, 2020. Per her wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no other service. Anyone wishing to remember Eleanor can make a donation to the local ambulance service in her name: SAESA, PO Box 728, Stockbridge, MI 49285.

Lillian Mae Fruin

Lillian Mae Fruin, age 89, formerly of Stockbridge, MI, of Largo, FL, passed away on March 7, 2020. Born on June 27, 1930, in Grand Rapids, she is the daughter of Walter and Jennie W. (Menkveld) Griffioen. 

Lillian enjoyed the game of golf, and she loved to sew, knit, be crafty, and put together as many jigsaw puzzles as possible. She served as a Registered Nurse for over 50 years. She lived in the Stockbridge area for years before making the move to Florida, and she was a member of the Stockbridge United Methodist Church..

She is survived by a son, Kirby D. Fruin, and daughter, Molly J. Korb (Jonathan); grandchildren, Ginger Grace Brown, Basil Dean Brown, Thyme John Brown, and Phalon Indi Korb; siblings, Roger (Susan) Griffioen and Arlene (Jack) Stoepker; and sister-in-law, Carol Griffioen. Lillian was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Basil Fruin, and her brother, Walter Griffioen.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date. Expressions of sympathy may be made payable to Molly J. Korb, and mailed to Molly J. Korb, c/o Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, 901 N. Main Street, Chelsea, MI 48118.

Julian Lamont Early

Julian Lamont Early, a longtime resident of St. Louis Center, Chelsea, MI, went home to be with the Lord on the morning of March 14, 2020 at the age of 59. Julian always knew that St. Louis Center was his home, and all the residents were all members of his extended family.

Julian was born in Detroit, MI on October 7, 1960, and he had been a resident of St. Louis Center since October 26, 1974. Julian’s smile could light up a room, and everyone loved him because he was such a “Gentle Soul.” He had a great love of sports, especially the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings; and he also enjoyed bowling, dancing, Bingo, watching NASCAR racing on television, and Bible study. In previous years, he worked at Cottage Inn and Macaroni Grill in Ann Arbor through Michigan Ability Partners, and his last job was working in the dining room at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital – Chelsea.

Julian’s parents were Samuel Allen Early, Jr. and Marjorie Settles Washington, and they preceded him in death. He is survived by his half-brothers, Walter House (Eleanor) of Reynoldsburg, OH, and Stuart House (Kathleen) of Orinda, CA, and brother, Allen Early III of Detroit, MI. Burial will take place at the Chattanooga National Veterans Cemetery in Tennessee. A memorial service will take place to honor Julian at St. Louis Center at a future date. Expressions of sympathy may be given to St. Louis Center, Chelsea. Donations are encouraged for St. Louis Center and the Washtenaw Association for Community Advocacy.

Gail R. Bauer

Gail Ruth Bauer, of Chelsea, MI, age 80, died Saturday, March 14, 2020. She was born Gail Ruth Provance on April 25, 1939 in Clarkton, Missouri, the daughter of Elson and Edna (Dunscomb) Provance.

Gail moved to Michigan after graduating from high school, and had several jobs before she joined the Chelsea State Bank in 1968 as a bookkeeper. She was placed in charge of the bookkeeping department in 1975 and was appointed Assistant Vice President and Auditor in 1986. In 1994 she was promoted to Vice President, and she retired in 2000 after a total of 32 years of service.

Gail was an active community member and served on a number of boards and projects, including the Chelsea District Library Capital Campaign Committee.

Gail was a PEO, Daughter of the American Revolution, and a member of the Ann Arbor Women’s City Club. She was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ, where she served as President of the Church Council. Gail was an avid supporter of Chelsea athletics and promoted the arts in the area. She was a founding member of Chelsea Area Players and of the Purple Rose Theatre Company, where she held the position of Vice President of the Executive Board for many years. Since retirement, Gail spent as many hours as possible at the bridge table in multiple groups in Chelsea and Ann Arbor.

On May 18, 1957, she married Norman Bauer in Chelsea. He preceded her in death on January 17, 2013.

Survivors include two sons, Dennis (Susan) of Chelsea, Bartley (Alisa) of Chelsea, a daughter, Gayla (Tor) Bauer Blaisdell of Ellensburg, WA; also surviving are sister-in-law, Jayne Bauer, two brothers-in-law, Robert (Mary) Bauer and Donald (Leila) Bauer, a sister-in-law, Barbara (Charley) Fredette, a brother, W.F. “Buck” (Liz) Provance, and two sisters, Barbara “Bobby” (Bob) Tallarico and Margaret (Jerry) McFarland.

Gail was “Grammy” to seven grandchildren: Darl (Carly) Bauer, Cal (Amber) Bauer, Adam Bauer, Devyn Bauer, Nathan Bauer, Tristan Blaisdell and Lydia Blaisdell; and two great-grandchildren, Gigi Kay Bauer and Boone Cavanaugh Bauer (children of Darl and Carly). She was a special aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Gail was preceded in death by sister, Betty Ann King, and brothers-in-law, Bob King and Walt Bauer.

A memorial service will be held at St. Paul United Church of Christ on a future date.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul United Church of Christ or the Purple Rose Theatre Company, noting in the memo section: In Honor of Gail R. Bauer. Donations may be mailed to Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, 901 North Main St., Chelsea, MI 48118.

Alice H. Drake

Alice H. Drake, age 94, passed away at St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea Hospital on March 10, 2020. She was born October 11, 1925 in Detroit, MI, the daughter of Arthur and Henrietta (Kuieck) VanValkenburg. She is survived by four children, Arthur (Naomi) Drake of Jackson, Donna (John) Smith of Jackson, Debora (James) Talley of Ann Arbor, and Faith (Steve) Sowers of Ann Arbor; son-in-law, Gary Culver; five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer, and a daughter, Vicky Culver. Alice lived at the Chelsea Retirement Community since 2018, moving from Jackson. She was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Jackson. Alice was artistic and liked to draw and paint. She enjoyed sewing, reading, and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date due to Governor Gretchen Witmer’s Executive Order 2020-11 (COVID-19 Guidelines). A private interment will be held at Washtenong Memorial Park at a later date. Those wishing to make a donation in Alice’s memory may do so to the Redeemer Lutheran Church or the Salvation Army.

Robert H. Davidson

Robert H. Davidson, age 90, of Chelsea, MI, passed away at St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea on March 11, 2020. He was born in Grand Rapids on April 8, 1929, the son of Harold and Hollace Davidson. On October 15, 1952, Robert married Thelma Mae Maples in Dearborn, and she survives.

Robert served in the Army, and was a machinist for 45 years. He enjoyed riding horses, taking care of horses, and he especially enjoyed his 28-year-old zebra/donkey (zonkey) named “Stripes.” He hunted, fished, and was a 4-H leader. He was known for his amazing fudge and pungent horseradish. In addition, Robert owned and operated Cedar Haven Farm. For over 60 years, he was a State Trail Ride Committee member.

He is survived by his wife, Thelma; sons, Rick Davidson of Harrisville, MI, and Robert Davidson, Jr. of Greenbush, MI, and son-in-law, James Rendall of South Lyon, MI; and three grandchildren, Cody, Dillon, and Kristen Davidson.

Robert was predeceased by his parents and his daughter, Gayle Davidson.

A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2020, 11:00 a.m. at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea, Pastor Mary Barrett officiating. Visitation is Friday, March 13, 2020, 6-8 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Chelsea Fair in memory of Robert.