Goldie R. Hoover

Goldie R. Hoover, age 96, of Grass Lake, MI, formerly of Chelsea, MI, passed away on December 20, 2021 at St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea Hospital. She was born on April 29, 1925 in Mackinaw City, MI the daughter of Clifford and Fern (Place) Clear. Goldie had lived in the Chelsea/Grass Lake area and worked as an assembler for DAPCO Industries for many years. She enjoyed Bingo and going to the casino in Battle Creek. She also enjoyed writing poetry.

Goldie is survived by four children: Diane (Edwin) Jacobinski of Chelsea, Dennis Hoover of Kentucky, Randy (Kathy) Hoover of Jackson, and Robin Niles of Grass Lake; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter; her siblings: Clifford Clear, Jr. of Rhode Island, Belva Shepherd of Iowa, and Norma Howe of Hope.

She was preceded in death by her siblings: Julia Coleman, Caroline Burns, David Clear, Burton Clear, and Margaret Savinski.

A private burial will take place at Oak Grove Cemetery in Chelsea, Michigan.

Kimberly A. Higgins

On December 18, 2021, Kimberly Anne Marie Higgins died unexpectedly as the result of an automobile accident.

Kim is survived by her fiancé, Toby French, her mother, Jackie (Jen) Armbruster (nee Bowers), her father, David (Alexandria) Higgins, her surrogate parents, Jill & Stewart Ogden, and her sisters and brothers, Tyler Higgins, Steven/Max Youngheim, Ryder Armbruster, Seanna Ogden, Kaitlyn Rosul, Milan Rosul, Megan Rosul, Lily Ogden, and Leah Ogden. She is also survived by her aunts and uncles, Bobbi (Joshua) Sitter, Richard (Rachelle) Hercher, Robin Hercher, Patricia (Bobby) Higgins, Ellen (Garrett) Lefler, and her cousins Jazmyne Sitter, Joshua (Ashley) Sitter Jr., Nathaniel McChesney, Chase Lefler, Logan Lefler, Ember Lefler, Lillian Hercher, and Violet Hercher. She is also survived by her grandparents Geoffrey Higgins, Roland Hercher, and Ken & Linda Armbruster and the Bower family. Kim is preceded in death by her grandparents, Beth Stagman, Raymond Bishop, Cynthia Higgins, and Rita Hercher.

Kimberly was born on February 20, 2001 in Trenton, Michigan. She graduated from David Douglas High School in June, 2019. Her passion was photography and the arts for which she was developing a burgeoning career as a solo artist. Kim’s favorite thing in life was her family. She grew up with many cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents, and extended family. She loved to do nice things for other people and was always willing to help people however she was able to no matter what the cost to her. Another love of hers was to travel so that she could pursue her passion of photography in interesting places. This wanderlust took her to places like Costa Rica, Portland, Oregon, Niagara Falls, and all throughout the state of Michigan.

A public viewing for Kimberly is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, 424 East Main Street, Stockbridge, Michigan, 49285.

A memorial service is also scheduled at the same location on Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. after which there will be a wake at The American Legion Post 510, 830 S. Clinton, Stockbridge, MI 49285. The family asks that donations be sent to Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home in the name of Jackie Armbruster.

David W. Miles

David W. Miles, age 84, of Dexter, MI, passed away on December 13, 2021 at St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea Hospital. He was born February 17, 1937 in Carleton, MI, the son of Walter B. and Alice (Grundman) Miles.

He was raised in the Dexter area where he grew up and helped his mom and dad on the farm. He graduated from Dexter High School in 1955, and he played football and basketball in school. He enjoyed camping, snowmobiling, and traveling, as well as hunting, and fishing. While still in school he worked part-time for Toby’s Electric of Dexter. He went to work for Koch Electric in Dexter for 20 years and then went to A.F. Smith Electric in Ypsilanti for 20 years, from which he retired.

David married Willadean (Gullett) in Chelsea, MI on February 9, 1957, and she survives. In addition, he is survived by two children, Rex D. Miles and Lori L. (Stan) Ashcraft; two grandchildren, Jayma (Brad) Whitehead, and Jerid M. Hollenbeck; and three beautiful great-grandchildren: Hailey Joanne, Hannah Lynne, and Harper Katherine; a sister, Patricia Trinkle, and a brother, Roy Miles, several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Michael Hollenbeck.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 16, 2021, 11:00 a.m., at Faith Baptist Church, 4030 Kalmbach Rd., Chelsea, with Pastor M. Adam Summers officiating. The family will receive friends at church on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

Burial will follow the service at Oak Grove Cemetery, Chelsea.

Memorial contributions can be made to Faith Baptist Church or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.

Christina Thompson

In 1947, Christina Mae Grissom was carried out of Appalachia in a cigar box. Born in Huntington, West Virginia, to poor, uneducated parents, the premature infant departed on a train bound west, clad in a handkerchief for a diaper and blind in one eye from medical negligence. Her grandfather bought the tickets. He became her refuge during her early life in Baker, Oregon, where her father worked long hours as a logger, and her mother committed all manner of neglect, leaving Chris to parent her younger siblings from the time she could reach the stove.

Christina departed this world on November 29th, 2021 at age 74, far from the rural poverty that defined her childhood. With her Ph.D. from the University of Michigan (earned in record time while working full-time), she spent more than 30 years advocating for mental health clients. She chaired the Michigan Board of Psychology and served fifteen years as the Executive Director of the Jackson/Hillsdale community mental health center (which she transformed into Lifeways). In her retirement, she rewrote the mental health code for the State of North Carolina as a consultant.

As a child, Chris was often told to slow down and not act “too big for her britches.” She peeled ten pounds of potatoes every night for dinner and tried to keep her head down. Chris’ breaking point came one evening as she was leaving to perform as concertmaster and solo violinist in a high school production. Her mother insisted Chris stay home to wash dirty diapers and watch her siblings so her mother could go out. Chris called a cab and left. When her father tracked her down, Chris told him about her mother’s drinking and spending and men; her father hit her so hard that he broke her nose. She somehow didn’t hold this against him.

Christina’s strength in her convictions made her a force, with an unusual decisiveness that cut through all the noise. Once, when she heard that two staff members made less than their peers, she nearly doubled their salaries on the spot. She fiercely advocated for her clients -- got them out of state hospitals, respected them as people. One of her clients gave her away at her wedding. She used her authority to take care of people, on her own terms. And she let people know where they stood. If they stood in her way, she made them move.

“It’s hard to kiss someone when you have a stiff upper lip,” she said, and so it took her until age 35 to find the person she would trust absolutely for the rest of her life. The strength of her marriage with Don, the devotion they had for each other, was hard to miss. They spent perhaps two nights apart in their almost forty years of marriage.

Chris’ determination was all the more remarkable given the chronic pain and illness that plagued her. Due to poorly managed rheumatic fever in her youth, she developed heart disease and had two open-heart surgeries by the time she was 60. She was hit by a car as a child and endured back surgeries and back pain the rest of her life. She’d had a stroke, three hip replacements, rheumatoid arthritis, an embolism, and more conditions than a doctor could digest in a normal visit with her. Would anyone know this if they watched her working away for hours in her garden, often in incredible pain? Probably not.

Any friend would mention her generosity, her loyalty, and her enthusiasm. If you came to visit, you might find that she’d tiled her living room floor by herself since the last time you were there. She might offer you a tarot card reading, gift you one of her new paintings (whether or not it fit in your house), or take you shopping, with the goal of forgetting that there was ever a time in her life when she didn’t have enough. She would host you at a fancy French restaurant or take you thrifting. Or maybe she would guide you through the Chartres labyrinth she asked Don to build in their front lawn.

Don made this exuberance possible. Chris called him “nurturer and keeper at bay of nuisances.” And that he was. Faithfully, he would try to right everything wrong in her world, ease every frustration, keep all annoyances at bay -- and for Chris there were many. Through all the noise of the world, in the end, Don was where she returned, over and over. Chris had a piece of embroidery by her bed: “If you should die before me, ask if you can bring a friend.” She might be asking him right now why it took a year and half to get to him. But we all know he would have brought her sooner if there had been a way.

Richard P. "Dick" Shaneyfelt

Richard P. “Dick” Shaneyfelt, age 81, of Chelsea, Michigan, passed away on December 10, 2021 at his home. He was a beloved dad, step-dad, Papa, and cherished Deacon to the many parishioners and community members that he served.

Dick was born July 7, 1940 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the son of Raymond A. and Anna E. (Bauer) Shaneyfelt. He lived in Washtenaw Co. his entire life and graduated from St. Thomas High School in Ann Arbor in 1958. Shortly thereafter, he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served for four years as a radio operator and airman. He worked as a Master Plumber from 1965-2000 and was a 49-year member of the UA Local 190 Plumbers/Pipefitters. On May 5, 1979, he married Nadine (Underwood). She preceded him in death on December 22, 2015.

In 1990 he became a Catholic Deacon and proudly served St. Mary Catholic Church in Chelsea, where he was a member and integral part of the church. He also served the community as a member of the Chelsea Ministerial Alliance, serving as Chair, as well as Faith-in-Action, where he served as President for three years. Through Faith-in-Action, he started Christmas in April, a program which continues and is now known as “Help with Rebuilding Together.” Even after retirement in 2006, he continued to serve, going to unsafe areas of Flint, to reach out to the lost with the Gospel.

He is survived by his children, Christine (Allen) Johnson of Ann Arbor, Beth Ann (David) Renner of Manchester, his step-children: Colette (Russell) Luckhardt of Gregory, Brian (Vicki) Wright of South Carolina, Dana (Geneva) Wright of South Carolina, Van (April) Wright of Tecumseh; as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife, Nadine, he was preceded in death by his sister, Betty Shaneyfelt, two brothers Russell Shaneyfelt and Robert Shaneyfelt, a step-son, Gary Dean Wright, a step-daughter, Shari Wright, and the mother of his daughters, Patricia L. (Badour) Vitale.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 17, 2021, 2:00 p.m., at St. Mary Catholic Church, Chelsea. A private graveside service will be held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the church on Friday from 12-2 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Faith in Action, St. Mary Catholic Church, or the Arbor Hospice Foundation.

Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, 901 North Main St. Chelsea, MI 48118.

Ruby M. Mertens

Ruby Marie Mertens, age 79, passed away peacefully at Country Meadows in Grass Lake, Michigan on December 9, 2021.

She was born on February 20, 1942, in Denver, Colorado, the daughter of Emily R. (Ogg) and Vincent J. Mertens. Her father joined the Navy after Pearl Harbor was bombed and was deployed shortly after her birth. After the war, the family moved to work on a ranch in Eastern Colorado. When Ruby was a young girl, her mom contracted polio. Ruby being the eldest girl took the role of caring for her three siblings until they were all sent to different friends and family members for a period of time. She used to tell stories of her mother killing rattlesnakes on their front porch with her cane after she recovered from polio.

Ruby graduated from South High School in Denver, Colorado. She graduated one weekend in 1960, married the following weekend at 18, had her first daughter 15 months later at 19, and her second daughter 13 months later at 20. She enjoyed learning, was an avid reader and writer, and graduated with a BA later in life.

Ruby loved her time on the ranch and would eventually live out her dream of owning her own ranch - raising and riding horses. She was an awarded endurance rider on her Arabians for many years, especially after she retired from the Air Reserve Personnel Center at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado on February 20, 2001. She moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico where she shared her passion for horses with her daughter, Lynda. They traveled to multi-day rides all over the Southwest with Tarpan and Touche´, Arabians born and raised by Ruby. She spent endless hours riding with her many horse-back riding friends and family primarily in Colorado, New Mexico and Texas.

She had a love for all animals especially her numerous Chihuahuas (4), cats and horses. Her wish of passing “before Teddy goes” came to fruition. She also loved plants, especially violets, and her green thumb was the envy of many. Ruby was an avid crafter, sewer and quilter - she was president of her New Mexico quilting chapter.

Ruby is survived by her daughters, Lynda Latta (Micheal O’Malley) and LouAnn Eder (Jeff), brother, Maurice Mertens (Millie), sister, Dorothy Allison (Chuck), many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews, as well as members of her “Michigan Family.”

Ruby always had a smile for her many friends, caregivers, and family. She was never one to complain or fret. She loved to talk and share stories, as well as travel.

The family would like to thank all of her caregivers over the past 6 years for their special care, especially the excellent care she received by her caregivers at Country Meadows.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Meals on Wheels, Chelsea Senior Center, 512 Washington St., Chelsea, Michigan, 48118.

Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.

Elizabeth (Minix) Gerber

Elizabeth Gerber, age 73, of Stockbridge, MI, passed away on December 5, 2021 at her home.

She was born on March 12, 1948 in Salyersville, KY the daughter of Edwin and Earnestine (Salyer) Minix. She had lived in the Stockbridge area since 1953, moving from Salyersville. She worked as an Administrative Assistant for Western Southern Life Insurance. She enjoyed sewing, crafts, baking and spending time with her grandkids.

On February 21, 1981, she married Clifford W. Gerber, and he survives. Also surviving are her children, Amberlee (Corey) Barker of Virginia, and Lance (Barbara Bartley) Gerber of Stockbridge; seven grandchildren: Landon, Leo, Levi, Luke, Mya, Lily, and Lilah; also her siblings: David (Leotta) Minix of Stockbridge, Carolyn Myer of Michigan, Donna (Tom) Sussex of Iowa, and sister-in-law, Ila Minix of Stockbridge. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Paul Minix, and a sister, Sharon Minix.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, December 11, 2021, 11:00 a.m., at the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 10 -11 a.m. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Carrie L. Rose

Carrie Lynn Rose, age 54, of Jackson, MI, formerly of Munith, MI, passed away at Henry Ford Allegiance Health in Jackson, MI on Tuesday, December 7, 2021.

She was born on May 10, 1967 in Jackson, MI, the daughter of Roger and Vera (Patrick) Hoover. Carrie graduated from Stockbridge High School in 1985. She worked in the accounting department at Hatch Stamping for 25 years.

Carrie had lived in Munith for many years and lived in Jackson for the past eight years. She loved spending time with her family and her dogs, Brady and Woodson. She was a great cook, and she was overjoyed to finally be a grandma.

On March 5, 1988, she married Richard H. “Rich” Parks, and he preceded her in death on December 3, 2013. She married David V. Rose on October 11, 2017, and he survives. Also surviving are three children, Justin (Angela) Parks of Munith, Colby Parks of Chelsea, and Taylor (Evann) Rohloff of Jackson; two grandchildren, Harvey and Sawyer; one brother, Roger (Tim) Hoover of Georgia, and one sister, Kelli (Ken) Weiner of Florida; also her in-laws, Terry and Nadine Rose of Jackson. In addition to her first husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, and a sister, Robin Delaney.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 11, 2021, 2:00 p.m. at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 10, 2021 at the funeral home from 5-8 p.m., as well as Saturday from 1-2 p.m. A private burial will take place at a later date at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Munith.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Cascades Humane Society .

Virginia J. "Ginny" Parisho

Virginia J. “Ginny” Parisho, age 91, formerly of Chelsea, MI, passed away on December 7, 2021 at University Assisted Living in Ann Arbor, MI. She was born on June 3, 1930 in Whitmore Lake, MI, the daughter of Harry M. and Rosa K. (Haisch) Groomes.

Virginia lived in the Chelsea area since 1972, and prior to that lived in the Ann Arbor area. She married John M. Parisho on November 11, 1950, and in 2005 he preceded her in death.

Virginia was a loving and dedicated mother and grandmother. She enjoyed quilting, crocheting, and gardening.

She is survived by her four children, John (Deborah) Parisho of Jackson, James “Jay” (Diane) Parisho of Whitmore Lake, Becky (Jeff) Murillo of Jackson, and Dennis (Jennifer) Parisho of Gregory; ten grandchildren: John (Angela) Parisho, Lisa Harms, Shawn Parisho, Lindsay (Ryan) Keiser, Scott Parisho, Aaron (Kaitlin) Parisho, Jayson (Allison) Murillo, Jesse Murillo, Tara Murillo, and Victoria Parisho; eleven great-grandchildren: Brock Harms, Blake Harms, Mason Likens, Camren Keiser, Nolan Keiser, Augustus Parisho, Rosie Parisho, Archer Parisho, Tristan Murillo, Mila Murillo, and Myles Murillo. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Elinor Hainen and Mildred Wooster.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 12, 2021, from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home in Chelsea. Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 13, 2021, 10:00 a.m., at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home with Rev. Joy Barrett officiating. Burial will follow at Washtenong Memorial Park in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Memorials may be made to Help 4 Wildlife, P.O. Box 92, Dexter, MI 48130.

Kathryn L. Humrich

Kathryn L. Humrich, age 102, of Gregory, MI, passed away on December 5, 2021 at her home surrounded by family.

Kathryn had a life well-lived for 102 years and brought joy to everyone who was lucky enough to meet her.

Her family called her the “miracle of 1919.” She was born at 1 lb and 10 oz. at home, and survived out of spunk.

She was born, raised, and passed away in Gregory. Kathryn was a member of the Plainfield Methodist Church. Her family was her biggest joy, and she dedicated her life to taking care of and spending time with them. She enjoyed cooking, baking, crocheting, reading, and working in her yard and garden, but her favorite pastime was traveling, whether it was just a visit to someone's house, or traveling all over the United States and to her favorite place, Manitoulin Island, Canada. She would say, “just let me get my hat.”

Kathryn is survived by her six children: Gary (Kathryn) Humrich, Larry (Lorraine) Humrich, Ronald (Lynda) Humrich, Linda (Robert) Vogel, Carol (Ralph) Goerge, and Elaine (Mike) Boyd; 21 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Ralph W. Humrich, two great-grandsons, Benjermin Humrich and Shane Redford, and siblings: Daisie, Russell, and J.W. Roberts.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 from 6-8 p.m. at the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, December 9, 2021, 12:00 p.m., at Plainfield United Methodist Church in Gregory, MI. Burial will follow at Plainfield Cemetery.

Memorial may be made to the Plainfield United Methodist Church. Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge.