Paul D. Brown, age 82, of Pinckney, MI, passed away on December 18, 2021 at St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge.
Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m., followed by burial at Plainfield Cemetery in Gregory, Michigan.
Shirley L. (Ahrens) Flint, age 91, formerly of Manchester and Brooklyn, mom, grandma, and sister, passed away peacefully on December 28, 2021. Shirley was the daughter of Elmer Ahrens and Edith (Bruestle) Slane, born to them on September 15, 1930. She graduated with the class of 1949 from Manchester High School.
She wasn’t just a mom and grandma, but so much more. She was a sister and friend to many, and known to many for her banana nut bread. She wore many hats throughout her life. At one point she waited tables at the old Clinton Hotel for Goldie Covell. She was a cashier, gave out samples at Meijer, and was a sitter for Michael, Lisa, and Steve (her extended children). She worked at Baker’s Dozen for Chuck and Sandy King and loved every minute. She was the smiling face at the receptionist desk at the U of M Financial Aid Office. She was the first face many students and families encountered, and she soon became known as “Grandma” to returning students. She was also a member of the Covenant Church in Chelsea.
Shirley leaves behind her children, Elizabeth Blossom and Douglas (Cindy) Flint. She has five grandsons, several great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her sister, Mary Lou (Ron) Marks of West Virginia, and several nieces and nephews; her second families: Michael, Lisa, and Steve, and God-daughter, Aimee, as well as the Dennis Crupper family. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, James “Ray” Flint in 1982, an infant brother, and her son-in-law, Garry Blossom.
The family will receive friends at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home in Chelsea on Sunday, January 2, 2021 from 1-6 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Monday, January 3, 2021, 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Tony Dickerson officiating. A private burial will take place at the Sharon Township Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Covenant Church, 50 N. Freer Rd, Chelsea, MI 48118.
Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home.
Dan C. Carlton, age 74, of Stockbridge, MI, passed away on December 25, 2021 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor. He was a bright spark in this world, and he will be deeply missed.
Dan was born on August 11, 1947 to Cletus and Eliza ‘Betty’ Carlton in Highland Park, MI. He had lived in the Stockbridge area since 1974, moving from Livonia. He was a Senior Design Engineer and Project Manager for Flow Robotic Systems in Novi, retiring in 2001. Although retired, Dan was not an idle man and continued performing home inspections.
Dan poured his heart and soul into his family, who absolutely adored and admired him. He was a God-fearing man, who had been actively involved at Crossroads Community Church in Stockbridge for many years, but he had recently been attending the Rives Baptist Church in Rives Junction.
Dan was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed bear, turkey, and deer hunting, as well as fishing and camping. He also loved to garden, and he was an excellent cook. Dan earned his 5th Degree Black Belt in Sanchin Ryu Okinawan Karate and was a Master Sensei. He was able to share his passion of Sanchin Ryu through teaching all ages and fitness levels the non-competitive style based karate of physical and mental self-control.
On February 4, 1995, he married his lovely wife, Kay Ann (Kehrberg) in Pleasant Lake, Michigan, and she survives. Also surviving are his children: James (Destiny) Carlton of Montana, Susan (Doug) Demers of Williamston, and Tammy (Steve) Tokar of Grand Ledge; Angela Lash of Quincy, and Matt (Melissa) Clark of Adrian; 12 grandchildren; extended family, Jake Dekarske of Stockbridge; sister, Janice Watkins of Lansing; sister-in-law, Mary Jo (Mitch) Elston of Hudson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Cletus and Betty Carlton, as well as a brother-in-law, Dennis Watkins.
Anyone who knew Dan was touched by his kindness, humor, and mild temperament. He was truly a peacemaker and was always a source of positivity.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at Rives Baptist Church, 2800 W. Berry Road, Rives Junction, with Pastor Dyke Cyphers officiating.
The family will receive friends at the church on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 from 6-8 p.m., as well as Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
Contributions in memory of Dan may be made to Rives Baptist Church and/or Sanchin-Ryu.
Carol Jean (Trapp) Satterthwaite, age 85, of Ypsilanti, MI, formerly of Chelsea, MI, received her angel wings on December 24, 2021 after a long and valiant fight with Alzheimer's.
She was born on December 8, 1936 in Stockbridge, Michigan to Howard and Ada (Corser) Trapp. She married Darrell Satterthwaite in July of 1956, and he preceded her in death in 1998. She is survived by her sons, Terry, Trent (Barb), and Troy (Christine) Satterthwaite; grandchildren, Jenna (Matt) Oesterle, Brenda (Ben Himes) Satterthwaite, Troy Lee Satterthwaite, and Morgan (TJ) Mathis, five great-grandsons, Ben, Aaron, Wyatt, Bronson, and Declan, and siblings, Patricia Patterson and Edward (Sue) Trapp. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by siblings, Robert Trapp, Dr. Alan Trapp, Glenn Trapp, James Trapp, Jeanette Collins, Shirley Habeck and Nancy Matyzius.
Carol and Darrell lived in the Chelsea area for their entire married life. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother and was known for making extra food just in case she had any visitors. She loved having coffee with friends, doing ceramics and other art projects, water aerobics, gardening, bird watching, spending time with her horses, and caring for the animals around the farm. Her passion was providing day to day care for the elderly.
Carol will be laid to rest with her husband, Darrell, in Vermont Cemetery. Burial will be private. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Gilbert Residence, 203 South Huron Street, Ypsilanti, Michigan or the Arbor Hospice Foundation in her memory.
John Michael Lazarz “Papa,” age 83, of Grass Lake, Michigan passed away on Thursday December 23, 2021 at his home surrounded by his loving family. John was born November 17, 1938 in Uniontown, PA, the son of Stella and Franklin Lazarz.
John is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Marjorie, and one sister, Debbie (John) Roberts, sister in-law, Donna Neiler, his children, Michelle (Jeff) Weber, Michael (Aileen) Lazarz, Melissa Radabaugh, Mary Kay (Jeff) Doering, 10 grandchildren, Corey Lazarz, Kevin Doering, Cody Radabaugh, Marisa Lazarz, Dylan Radabaugh, Jared Lazarz, Jeremy (Kelly) Lazarz, Seth Radabaugh, Rebecca Doering, Jenna Mae Radabaugh, and one great-granddaughter, Karlie Lazarz, and special foreign exchange daughter, Mika Miyata.
After retirement from Typographic Insights and the University of Michigan, John would spend his time with his grandchildren teaching them life’s lessons, enjoying watching Westerns and saving his pennies to take Nana to the casino.
He was preceded in death by his parents, step-mother, Katherine Lazarz, his grandparents, Stanley and Julia Lazarz, his in-laws, Kathryn and Vincent Neiler and brother in-law, Daniel Neiler.
“Life is easy to understand backwards but unfortunately, we have to live it forward.” A quote from John Lazarz.
The family will receive friends at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home on Monday, December 27, 2021 from 6-8 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:30 p.m. A Mass will take place on Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. with the V. Rev. Dr. William J. Canon Turner officiating from St. Mary Catholic Church. A private burial will take place at Mt. Olivet Cemetery at a later date.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Cascades Humane Society or the Grass Lake Senior Center.
Michael Lee Pollok, age 59, of Stockbridge, MI, passed away on December 23, 2021 at Henry Ford Allegiance Hospice Home in Jackson, Michigan.
Michael was born on September 10, 1962 in Owosso, Michigan, the son of Donald Lee and Margie E. (Burgess) Pollok.
He graduated from Stockbridge High School in 1980, and worked on the family farm, a job he truly enjoyed. He also worked as a truck driver, and for a few years he worked in several shops in the area.
Michael is survived by his mother, Margie Pollok of Stockbridge, MI, and three siblings: Michelle Pollok, Teresa (Mark) Jorgensen, and Lisa (Tom) Johnson. He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Pollok.
A private burial will be held at Oaklawn Cemetery, and a Memorial Celebration will be scheduled for a later date.
Geraldine Violet (Fuhs) Houtteman, beloved wife of Richard (Dick) Houtteman (1923-2015), mother of six, grandmother of twelve, great-grandmother of thirteen, sister of Evelyn (1914-2015), sister of Carl (1920-2006), and aunt to many, died December 19, 2021 in Saline, Michigan at the age of 97.75.
Geri was born on March 24 or 28, 1924, in Lake Township Michigan, the youngest of three children to Otto Paul Fuhs (Pipi) (1884-1986) and Caroline (Carrie) Helen Whitmore (Mimi) (1890-1961). She graduated from South Lake High School in 1941 and during World War II took a job at the Continental Motors company. To pass the time on the bus, as she commuted each day along Lake Shore Drive, she would select one of the many mansions to be “hers” someday.
She met Richard in high school, and they married in 1945 in Pensacola, FL where Dick was stationed for pilot training as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. Their marriage lasted 70 years. They spent the war together stationed at various naval bases, the last of which was San Diego.
After the war they moved back to St. Clair Shores, Michigan, where they raised a family of six: Toni, Richard (Mike), Debra (Arend), Jeffrey, Scott, and Lee. Geri worked as an election inspector and chairperson for 50 years. She was a devout Catholic, slept with a rosary under her pillow, and attended Sunday Mass until she could no longer walk. She followed the Detroit Tigers and Red Wings throughout her life, enjoyed being a “hockey Mom”, a Wednesday Wendy’s regular, and she was a decent bowler and golfer, and a great cook.
Richard and Geri enjoyed a long retirement. They spent winters in Florida. Ever thrifty, this meant for them a mobile home in an active retirement park. During the rest of the year Geri, together with her sister Evie, were available to help raise grandchildren, when and where needed. Looking back at her tireless devotion to her family, the countless scrapes and bruises, she built a home for her family as vast and as wonderful as any along Lake Shore Drive.
Michael J. Kaske, age 78, of Chelsea, MI, passed away unexpectedly at home on December 18, 2021. He was born in Garden City, MI on September 27, 1943, to the late Edward and Angeline (Bomber) Kaske. He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Dianne, and his brother, Jerry Kaske. Michael worked for Ford Motor Company as a master electrician, then retired after 32 years of dedicated service. During his retirement, he spent much of his time with family and friends, and frequented his cottage in St. Helen. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, and playing cards. He will be deeply missed by his children, Todd (Miriam) Kaske, Laura (Richard) Thorne, and Karen (Chris) Schop; grandchildren, Aric (Megan), Christopher, Sarah, Arin, and Ryan; siblings, Edward Kaske, Pat (Bob) Davis, and Fred (Robin) Kaske. No funeral or memorial service is immediately planned. The family will notify friends and loved ones when a service is scheduled.
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.
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.
