Carl "Chuck" Carpenter, Jr.

Carl “Chuck” Carpenter, Jr., age 65, passed away on January 23, 2022 at MediLodge of Campus Area in East Lansing, MI. Chuck was born on April 8, 1956 in Portland, ME to Carl, Sr. and Gloria (Gurney) Carpenter.

He had lived in the Lansing area since 2015, moving from Dimondale, MI. Before that he lived in Jackson, MI and Chelsea, MI. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, woodworking and making things with his hands. He also enjoyed cooking.

He is survived by his father, Carl Carpenter, Sr. of Jackson, two daughters, Patricia (Joshua) Essex of Bath, MI and Andrea Carpenter of Jackson, MI, his brother, Randy (Catherine) Carpenter of Mancelona, MI, two sisters, Jan (John) Allen of Maine, and Terrie Carpenter of Maine; four grandchildren, Christopher Lewke, Eric (Amber) Lewke, Brandy Joe Pickell, and Miley Pickell, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2022, 3:00 p.m., at the UAW Local 1284, 2795 M-52, Chelsea, MI 48118. Catering will be provided by West Texas Barbeque. Memorial contributions may be made to the family. A GoFund Me account has been set up to help with final arrangements.

Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home.

Andrew J. "Andy" Craft

Andrew Justin Craft, age 34, of Stockbridge, MI, passed away on January 21, 2022 at his home in White Oak Twp. Andy was born on September 25, 1987 in LaGrange, IN to Gordon C. and Claudia "Ellen" (Risner) Craft.

He graduated from Stockbridge High School, Class of 2006. Andy was a true animal lover. He especially liked his dogs and had a real talent for training and teaching animal obedience, a talent he learned from his dad. He loved hunting and anything outdoors.

He was a true gentle giant. He was a caring caregiver to anyone who needed an extra pair of hands, feet, or eyes. He was raised alongside his physically impaired aunts, Barb and Vivian Risner, who absolutely adored him. He learned to walk holding on to Barb’s wheelchair. He was a happy baby that brought so much joy to his family and friends.

Visitation will be held on Monday, January 24, 2022, 4-8 p.m. at the Good Shepherd Mission, 5050 M-36 Stockbridge, MI 49285.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, 11:00 a.m., at the Good Shepherd Mission with pastor and good friend, Billy Allen, officiating. Burial will follow at Fitchburg Cemetery in Bunkerhill Twp. A luncheon will follow at Good Shepherd Mission.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family.

Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home.

Jacklyn A. "Jackie" Case

Jacklyn Ann (Gale) Case, age 85, of Stockbridge, MI, passed away on January 14, 2022 at her home. She was born on December 2, 1936 in Jackson, Michigan the daughter of Helen Louise (Gale) Taylor.

She is survived by her five children, Cynthia (Dale) Keiser of Pinckney, MI, Beth (Dean) Rindfleisch of Williamston, MI, William Case of Vilonia, AR, Thomas (Ann) Case of Jackson, MI, and Deborah Hamlin of Owosso, MI; 17 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; also four sisters, Wanda, Margie, Jean, and Janet, and one brother, Barry.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Howard B. Case on May 3, 2005, her mother, Helen L. Taylor, her step-father, George W. Taylor, her foster-mother, Nora Phelps-Larson, her sister, Rosie Walters, and two brothers, Jerry and Jim Taylor.

Per her wishes, cremation has taken place, and there will be no services. A special thank you to her many caregivers, Theresa Viviano, Kay Mayer, Tina Erisman, Joe Allen, Judy Radant, Emily Hartman, Elizabeth Noble, and Frances Grumelot.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mackinder Glenn American Legion Post #510 in Stockbridge or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge, Michigan.

Tammy D. Gradowski

Tammy Dawn Gradowski, age 55, of Pinckney, MI, passed away on January 17, 2022 at St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea Hospital. Tammy was born on January 4, 1967 in Ypsilanti, MI, the daughter of Paul D. and Wanda L. (Miller) Brown.

Tammy grew up in the Gregory/Pinckney area. She enjoyed gardening, traveling, and spending time with her mother, Wanda, and her daughters, Jenni and Makayla. Tammy was an animal lover and always had many pets. She also enjoyed camping. She loved people and her community, her heart will never be forgotten.

Tammy is survived by her mother, Wanda Brown, and her two daughters, Makayla and Jenni Gradowski; as well as her sister, Letitia. She was preceded in death by her father, Paul Brown, and a sister, Elaine Brown.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 20, 2022 from 6-8 p.m. at the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, January 21, 2022, 11:00 a.m., at Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home with Pastor Missy Noll officiating. Burial will follow at Plainfield Cemetery.

Please click here to stream her service starting at 11:00 a.m.

Peder G. VanHouten

Peder G. VanHouten, age 83, of Chelsea, MI, formerly of Dexter, MI, passed away on January 17, 2022 at Chelsea Retirement Community-Towsley Village.

Peder was born on March 15, 1938 in Hillsdale, MI, the son of George and Harriet (Houghtby) VanHouten. In 1959, Peder married Sybil J. (Salsbury), his high school sweetheart, and she preceded him in death in June of 2020. He was also preceded in death by his son, Eric VanHouten in 2010, as well as his parents. Peder is survived by his daughter, Jennifer VanHouten of Dexter, MI, one sister, Sue VanDeusen, and several nieces and nephews.

Peder served in the United States Army. He attended Ferris State University and worked for the University of Michigan Print Shop for many years. He had lived in the Dexter area for 55 years. He loved nature, animals, woodworking, and above all, his family.

A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, January 20, 2022, 11:00 a.m., at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home in Chelsea, with Chaplain LeAnn Seto officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Dexter. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Dexter Area Historical Society or the Arbor Hospice Foundation.

Barbara J. Swistock

Barbara J. (Palac) Swistock, age 73, of Chelsea, MI passed away on January 16, 2022 at her home. She was born October 13, 1948 to Joseph and Anastasia Palac in Elizabeth, NJ. She was raised in Fanwood, NJ and graduated from Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School.

Barbara moved to Ann Arbor, Ml in 1966 to attend the University of Michigan, where she earned her BA and MLS degrees. There she met and later married Robert Swistock. They moved from Ann Arbor to Chelsea in 1981. She always said Chelsea reminded her of beloved Fanwood.

Upon graduation, Barbara worked for the University of Michigan library system for 20 years, primarily as a subject cataloger at the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library on the Diag. Barbara loved animals and flowers, spending many hours on her rose garden and perennial bed. She especially loved her golden retrievers. A past president of the Ann Arbor Dog Training Club, she was an obedience instructor for the puppy classes (her favorite). Barbara also participated in pet therapy programs with her goldens at Chelsea Retirement Community and Chelsea Community Hospital, now St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea Hospital. Barbara also volunteered for many years at Chelsea Hospital, the Chelsea Library, and she assisted in the formation of the Heritage Room at the Chelsea Retirement Community.

She is survived by husband, Robert, sisters, Carol Reid and Janet Palac, cousins, Tanya, Bob, Paul, Steve, Janet, Joan, Joyce, nephews, Kevin, David, Adam, niece, Leah, and godson, Hon. Michael Brown.

A family service will be held in New Jersey later this year, COVID permitting.

The family would like to thank Dr. R. Patrias, Barbara's primary physician, A. Medina, personal aide, St. Joe's Chelsea Emergency team, St. Joe's Ann Arbor Oncology Department, Huron Valley Ambulance, and the team at Arbor Hospice for all the excellent care and professionalism that supported Barbara and the family during a difficult time.

Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.

Arno M. Simon

Arno Max Simon passed away on Friday, January 14, 2022 in Eaton Rapids, Michigan after an 8-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. 

Arno was born in Maskow, Pommern, Germany (formerly Prussia) on March 5, 1936 to Minna (Tietz) and Richard Simon, the second child of twins. Soon after World War II ended, the family moved to Breman, Germany, and in 1952 the family immigrated to the United States and settled on a farm in Grass Lake, Michigan. 

In 1963, Arno married his wife Mary (née Huls) and settled in Plainfield, Michigan. Together, they had a daughter in 1965. Arno was a machinist at Central Fibre in Chelsea and then at R&B Manufacturing in Hamburg, retiring in 1999. He attended Plainfield Methodist Church and helped with many of the monthly chicken dinners. He will be remembered for his craftsmanship and for his love of sweets, the Detroit Tigers and animals (especially his chickens and cats). In later years, he enjoyed being part of Gregory’s seniors, having lunch, and playing bingo with friends. He also loved spending time with his grandchildren and doing puzzles. 

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary, special twin sister, Asta, and her husband, Arnold Surdyk. Surviving are his loving daughter, Tammy (Bob) Caldwell, and his grandchildren , Ally, Bobby and Brandon Caldwell, step-children, Vicky (JB) Huff, Oakie (Shiela) Hays, and Darkus (Sonny) Robbins, all of Indiana, his niece and nephew, Debbie and Tony Surdyk. 

The family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to the special ladies at Country Acres Adult Care Home. Your love and support has been invaluable during this challenging time. 

Due to the ongoing pandemic, in lieu of public services, the family requests condolences be sent to Tammy Caldwell at P.O. Box 511, Holt, MI 48842. 

Pamela Ann Gray

Pamela Ann Gray, age 79, died on Thursday, January 13, 2022, in Whitmore Lake, MI. She was born in Cincinnati, OH, on January 12, 1943, daughter to Irvin and Marcella (Robinson) Cook, and attended high school in Colorado Springs and college at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Pamela raised her family and lived much of her life in Ann Arbor, Gregory, and Chelsea, MI. She worked for several years as a bookkeeper, and later as a paraprofessional in the Dexter Community Schools. Pamela’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren delighted her, and she especially loved animals and crossword puzzles.

Pamela is survived by her children, David (Rachel) Thayer, Kelly (Carolyn) Thayer, Jordan (Jessica) Gray, Amanda Gray, Emily Romine; ex-husband, William Gray; brother, Lawrence (Barbara) Wood; grandchildren, Jacob (Lindsay) Thayer, Benjamin (Caitlin) Thayer, Zachary Thayer, Nicholas (Shelby) Thayer, Daniel Thayer, Alexander Thayer, Quincy Thayer, Tyree O’Shea Hunter Russell, Julian Thayer Gray; and great-grandchildren, Lillian Thayer, June Thayer, Eloise Thayer, Bodie Thayer, Margaret Thayer, and Andrew Thayer.

Pamela is preceded in death by her first husband, David Thayer, Sr.; her father and mother; paternal grandparents, Fred and Ernestine (Scheib) Cook; and maternal grandparents, Leslie and Lillian (Smythe) Robinson.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 16, 2022 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.

Funeral Services will be held Monday, January 17, 2022, 11:00 a.m., at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home with V. Rev. William J. Canon Turner officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove East Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Huron Valley or the Arbor Hospice Foundation.

Fritz W. Wagner

Fredrick “Fritz” Walter Wagner, 79, of Seattle, Washington, passed away on October 7,  2021, at Swedish Hospital in Seattle from an aggressive cancer. He was born on  October 25, 1941, in Ann Arbor, Michigan to Katherine Ada (Staffan) Wagner of Chelsea  and Fredrick John Wagner of Dexter. Fritz grew up in the Village of Chelsea with his  sister Stephanie “Sis” (Wagner) Kanten, brother John Phillip Wagner, and lifelong friend  Pat Merkel. In 1959, Fritz and Pat were the first class to graduate from the “new”  Chelsea High School on Washington Street. He played football and ran track and field. Connection was a theme throughout Fritz’s life. He made friends with everyone and  actively maintained those connections.  

Fritz earned a degree in education and a teaching certificate in 1963 from Michigan  State University. After college, Fritz and his friend Pat Merkel had an adventure of a  lifetime. They rode motorcycles through Europe and across the length of Africa over the  course of a year. Fritz met his future wife, Margaret Ann (Ferris) Wagner, in Cape Town  at the end of the Africa motorcycle trip. Fritz returned to Michigan in 1965, unmarried,  and began teaching and coaching at North Muskegon High School. Margaret visited  Chelsea in 1966, and later they were married in Cape Town, South Africa in 1968. The  newlyweds returned to the United States and settled in North Muskegon. On a separate  trip in 1967, Fritz traveled throughout Europe with William “Bill” Coltre of Chelsea in a  1967 Volkswagen Bug that is still owned by his family.  

In 1969, Fritz and Margaret moved to Seattle where Fritz attended the University of  Washington and earned a master’s and PhD in Urban and Regional Planning. In 1974,  they moved to New Orleans when Fritz accepted a position as professor at the  University of New Orleans (UNO). Shortly thereafter, he became the founding Dean of  the College of Urban and Public Affairs at UNO. He served for eight years on the New  Orleans City Planning Commission, with two as its chairman. He was also instrumental  in the creation of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Reserve in southern  Louisiana. Margaret and Fritz started their family in New Orleans and had two children,  Melanie Katherine Wagner and Ryan Fredrick Wagner. In 2000, and after 26 years in  New Orleans, Fritz and Margaret moved back to Seattle where he continued mentoring,  teaching, and serving as the interim Dean and Chair of the Department of Landscape  Architecture at the University of Washington.  

Fritz never lost his passion for travel and education. He and Margaret lived in  Alexandria, Egypt for six months where Fritz worked as a Fulbright scholar for the World  Health Organization. He also created a study abroad program that brought students to  Mexico and Canada. Fritz and his family regularly returned to Chelsea to see family and  friends. 

Fritz, above all else, was a caring and devoted friend, father, and husband. He was the  dad who coached his children’s soccer team. He was the dad that taught his children  the value of independence, the value of being able to fix things, the value of a dollar,  and most importantly, the value of the relationships with others. In addition to his wife,  Margaret, children, Melanie and Ryan, and their spouses, he is survived by four  grandchildren. At Fritz’s request, no funeral or memorial was held. Instead, the family is  planning a celebration this summer at Crooked Lake in Chelsea.

Robert "Bob" LeVanseler

Robert Theron LeVanseler, Sr.

October 11, 1934 - January 10, 2022

Robert “Bob” LeVanseler, age 87, died January 10, 2022 of cancer. He was born in Royal Oak, Michigan, the son of Winfield Theron and Ethel May LeVanseler. He grew up in South Lyon and was a police officer for South Lyon Police Department. Bob joined the Naval Reserves, then was drafted into the Army, and was stationed in Germany. He was assigned to A Company 35th Armor Division as a tank gunner, then transferred into the MPs. After an honorable discharge, Bob joined the Ann Arbor Police Department, retiring in 1990 as a Major Crimes Unit Detective. His specialty was arson and explosives investigations, fingerprint specialist, firearms expert, and served as the department's armorer. While working on foot patrol, he met the love of his life, Sally, and they were happily married for 51 years. Bob and Sally raised three children, Cheryl (Shaffer), Bob Jr., and Jeff (Connie). They loved their grandchildren, Holly (Peter), Christopher, Andrew, Demetrian, Nicholas (Ashley), Michaela, Benjamin, Thomas, and one great-granddaughter, Felicity.

Bob was an active member of the German Park for 55 years and could be found holding court over the potato salad preparations before each picnic as well as having served as a past president of the Park. He had a deep passion for nature and enjoyed the family cabin in the woods of northern Michigan, hunting, fishing, and breathing in the pine and sweet sage-scented air. He loved sharing the respite of the cabin with countless friends and family over the years, for a weekend getaway or deer camp. He also enjoyed woodworking and cabinetry and said that one of his greatest regrets was not being able to create more in his workshop after standing and walking became too painfully difficult to continue.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Sally, sister Audrey Edwards, brother Donald LeVanseler, and son-in-law Warren Shaffer.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, January 21, 2022, 11:00 a.m., at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

The family respectfully requests that those attending wear a mask.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Purple Heart Foundation.