Thomas Barjaktarovich

Thomas Barjaktarovich, of Gregory, Michigan, age 83, passed away on March 12, 2022 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Tom was born on August 27, 1938 in Hamtramck, Michigan, the son of Alexander and Juli (Silacki) Barjaktarovich.

Tom grew up in the southeast part of Michigan. He was a hard worker and owned his own business. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed sitting in the sun smoking his black and mild cigars. Tom also loved to watch old movies and always loved a good party.

Tom is survived by his children, Thomas Jr., Maria (Thomas) Bilot, David (Dennise) Mons and Joseph. He was a loving grandfather of Randall, Ashley, Dollie, Jacob, Joshua, Justin, Nickole, and his three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Alex, and sister, Anna.

Eric J. Van Riper

Eric J. Van Riper, age 46, of Ann Arbor, MI, passed away on March 31, 2022 at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI with his family by his side. Eric was born on February 17, 1976 in Kewanee, Illinois to Jay G. and Sharon K. (Berg) Van Riper.

Soon after his mom’s death, he moved to Ann Arbor from Illinois. Beginning at the age of seven, he came to live with Steve and Becky (Van Riper) Schultz as one of their own. On their farm is where his love of the outdoors was cultivated. He attended both Salem Lutheran School and Dexter Community Schools. His love of NASCAR took him on a journey working on a pit crew when he was younger while also working construction. He loved his current job and fellow employees working security at Costco. His days were filled with hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and anything else outdoors. He loved to fly, and he learned how to be a glider pilot. He also enjoyed spending time with family and friends, whether it was on the farm, traveling or on the boat with the McTaggart Family.

Eric is survived by his father, Steve Schultz of Ann Arbor, sisters, Nicole (George) Bollinger of South Lyon and Michele McGinnis of Illinois, multiple nieces and nephews, including Jessica (James) Lewandowski and Christopher Quillen, great-nephew, Max Lewandowski, his large extended family and former spouse, Laura Van Riper. He was preceded in death by his biological parents, as well as his mom who raised him, Becky Schultz.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Southeast Michigan Bird Dog Rescue in Flat Rock, Michigan.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 5, 2022 from 5-7 p.m. at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.

Mary A. Erskine

Mary A. Erskine, age 73, of Grass Lake, MI, passed away on March 30, 2022 at her home.

She was born on August 23, 1948 in Ann Arbor, MI the daughter of Walter and Velma (Edick) French. Mary had lived in the Chelsea area her entire life. She graduated from Chelsea High School in 1966.

Mary was instrumental in getting the CATS bus started, now known as the WAVE, allowing people without the ability to drive, a way to get around the Chelsea area. Whether it was the grocery store or the pharmacy, Mary was there to greet them or answer the phone at the call center. She faithfully worked for 40 years for Meals on Wheels, organizing meals and delivering to shut-ins around town, working closely with Faith in Action and eventually the Senior Center of Chelsea. She retired in 2021. Mary was avid about her Christianity, and attended the Assembly of God as well as the Waterloo Village Church.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Shari Burns of Michigan City, Indiana and son, John Erskine of Grass Lake; four grandchildren: Valerie Erskine-Bowers (Chris Bowers) of Bay City, Misty (Nick) Welch of Stockbridge, Brittany Erskine of Kentucky, and Melody Erskine of Grand Rapids; four great-grandchildren: Harmony Collin Erskine, Ava and Allie Welch, and Logan Price. She was preceded in death by her husband of 39 years, John G. “Gary” Erskine, in 2005, her eldest son, David Erskine, in 2016, and son-in-law, David Burns, in 2020.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, May 8, 2022 from 12-2 p.m. at the Chelsea Senior Center, 512 Washington Street (WESC), Chelsea, MI. Memorial contributions may be made to the Chelsea Senior Center.

Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home.

Mary A. Cornils

Mary A. Cornils, age 85, of Dexter, MI, passed away on March 29, 2022 at St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea Hospital. Mary was born on August 18, 1936 in Carroll, IA, the daughter of Walter and Anna Mae (Knott) Reiff. She grew up in Manilla, IA, where in high school she was a state competitor in basketball, coming in 2nd place in Iowa for free throws and earning a college basketball scholarship.

Mary married James M. Cornils on July 6, 1956 in Manilla, IA. They moved to the Dexter area in 1967 where she joined the parish of St. Joseph Catholic Church and became active as a life-long member. As a member of the parish, she was active in many ministries, including the Faith Sharing Group, eucharistic ministry, hospitality ministry, Folk Music group, parishioner marriage preparation, the Scholarship Committee, the Finance Committee, and the St. Leo's soup kitchen (Detroit). She also volunteered for the church in very many other aspects.

Her education after high school began with nursing school in Sioux City, IA. She later changed direction to study Special Education and become a teacher. She received her Bachelor's degree and Master's degree from Eastern Michigan University, graduating Summa Cum Laude.

Mary especially loved young children and spent her career at Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor, MI. At the hospital she helped children with long term stays and meeting their educational needs. She retired from the University of Michigan MedRehab in 1996.

Mary was an accomplished bridge player, an avid reader, extensive traveler, and dedicated Jeopardy fan. She supported many cultural organizations in the Dexter and Ann Arbor communities. Her kindness and selflessness were remarkable, always putting others first and taking care of others' needs before her own. Her love and support for her family and friends was immeasurable.

She is survived by her husband, James, five children, James, Jr. of Dexter, Allison Edwards of Ann Arbor, Peter (Pauline) Cornils of Battle Creek, MI, Patrick (Leslie Robles) of Rancho Palos Verde, CA, and Steven (Rebecca Biederman) of Portland OR; five grandchildren, Alex Edwards (Adrian Griffin) of Lakewood, OH, Tristan Edwards of Las Vegas, NV, Camille Cornils of Chicago, IL, Miles Cornils of Battle Creek, MI and Daniel Cornils of Portland, OR; her siblings: William (Judy) Reiff of Omaha, NE, and Peg (Ernie) Shelton of Des Moines, IA, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Carol F. Cornils, two brothers, James Reiff and Robert Reiff, and her son-in-law, Terry Edwards.

Visitation will be held Sunday, April 3, 2022 from 4-7 p.m. at the St. Joseph Catholic (country) Church, 6805 Mast Road, Dexter, with a scripture service at 7:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be prayed on Monday, April 4, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at the St. Joseph (village) Church, 3430 Dover Street, Dexter, with Fr. Brendan Walsh presiding. The family will receive friends at the church on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. A luncheon will follow. A private burial will occur at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to either St. Joseph Catholic Church, Faith in Action, or the Encore Musical Theater in Dexter.

Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home.

Robert G. Losey

Robert G. Losey, age 73, of Jackson, MI, passed away on March 28, 2022 at his home.

Robert was born on April 21, 1948 in Jackson, MI and was the son of Donald and Helen (Allen) Losey.

Bob was very proud to be a part of the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam Era. He also rode with the Jackson County Sheriff Mounted Division for security for events like parades or MIS. He worked as a truck driver for all of his life, most recently for Lawson’s Logging, a job he was good at and truly loved. Bob loved being outdoors, whether it was mowing the lawn or driving a team of horses. Bob loved animals and will be greatly missed by his dog and riding buddy, Remi.

On March 9, 1995, he married Sharon Dee (Martin), and she survives. Also surviving are his children, Jody (Matt) Barber, Tammy (Jim) Lewis, and Jessica (Jason) Wonderly; his step-daughter, Nicole Marie Allen; grandchildren: Sarah Groomes, Paul Barber, Bryce Lewis, Jack and Davis Wonderly, Kajin, Jailyn, and Perry Helms; great-grandchildren, Jaycee, Julian, Josiah, and Lexie; siblings: Janet Rons, Richard Losey, Jerry (Chris) Losey, and Linda (Ray) Dull; also many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his step-daughter, Danyel Lyn Allen.

Visitation will be held on Friday, April 1, 2022 from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2022, 11:00 a.m., at Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home with Pastor Eric Stricklin officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Henrietta Township.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family.

Dorothy H. Tabachki

Dorothy H. Tabachki, age 100, passed away on March 28, 2022 in Byron, MI.

Dorothy was born on August 23, 1921 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the daughter of Ralph and Julia (Katich) Putnick. She married Daniel Tabachki on July 14, 1943 who preceded her in death on November 15, 2014.

Dorothy had lived in White Oak Twp. for many years, where she served on the White Oak Twp. Election Board for many years. She was a member of the Millville United Methodist Women and Menders, and she enjoyed knitting baby hats and mittens, which she would donate along with the other Menders to a couple hospital newborn units and Youth Haven. She had worked for Kresge and K-Mart. She enjoyed reading, playing bingo, doing word searches and jigsaw puzzles.

Her maiden name, Putnick, means travel, and travel she did. She and her husband, Daniel, visited her daughter, Julia, in Hawaii, Germany, and San Francisco, while Julia and her husband, Pete, were in the army. Other travels include several European tours, tours to the British Isles, and Nova Scotia. Dorothy and her daughter, Donna, traveled to Perth, Australia to visit a friend that Dorothy and Daniel had met on one of their many tours.

Dorothy is survived by four children, Helen (Robert) Norris, Julia (Pete) Provencio, Donna Feikert and Stephen (Cheryl) Tabachki; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Nickolas Tabachki, her parents, and siblings.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 31, 2022, 12:00 noon, at Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home in Stockbridge, MI, with Pastor Rhonda Osterman officiating. A private burial will take place at North Stockbridge Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Millville United Methodist Women.

Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home.

Mary Ellen Mynning

Please click here to view her service

On March 26, 2022, Mary Ellen Mynning passed away at the age of 74. She was born October 21, 1947 in Ann Arbor, MI, the daughter of Donald M. Mynning, Jr. and Margaret (Merkel) Mynning. Mary Ellen is survived by her cherished son, Matthew Harwood of Ypsilanti, sisters, Beverly (Dennis) Schumann of Chelsea, Gloria (Steven) Feldkamp of Chelsea; nephews, Nick (Jen) Schumann and Brian (Emily) Feldkamp; nieces, Missy (Garth) Baize and Dana (Steve) Strobel; her extended family, Laine (Jeannie) Lu and Mary’s precious granddaughters, Emmalina, Karalena, and Angelina of Oregon. Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, Don Jr. and Margaret Mynning, her oldest son, Johnny Harwood, and brother, Edward Mynning.

In her early years, Mary and her boys took a two-month vacation and camped across the country. Enjoying their many adventures from Banff, Canada, across the Pacific Northwest panning for gold and climbing mountains, cave hunting and looking for waterfalls, and back across to the east coast and eating lobster in Bar Harbor.

Once back home, she studied liberal arts at Washtenaw Community College, from there she pursued her bachelor’s degree in English language and literature at Eastern Michigan University. She was an instructor at Washtenaw Community College for seven years. Mary was a prolific writer and won numerous awards for her poems.

In 1991, she embarked on a new adventure of her lifetime. She journeyed over to China and was a foreign expert at Tianjin University and a foreign expert at University of Science and Technology Beijing, teaching English to the students, for four years. Mary would submit articles of her life in China to the Dexter Leader, Ann Arbor News and Chelsea Standard. She met her best friend, Gang Lu (aka) Laine, who came to the United States where Mary Ellen mentored him.

Once back in the States, she worked at the University of Michigan, retiring in the year 2000. She lived in Cranbrook apartments in Ann Arbor and loved her friends Barb, Betsy, Diane and Carol.

Her life-long friend since 3rd grade at St. Joseph Catholic School in Dexter, MI, Marianne Scott Kessel shared many good times, sad times, and they always continued their loyalty to each other. Karen Briggs was another dear friend to Mary. They both experienced many highs and lows throughout their friendship.

Mary Ellen loved her nieces, nephews, and cousins and appreciated all their prayers, love, and support during her years of poor health. We will miss her many stories that brought us to laughing tears.

Mass of Christian Burial will be prayed on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, 11:00 a.m., at St. Joseph Village Church, 3430 Dover Street, Dexter, with Fr. Brendan J. Walsh presiding. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Dexter, Michigan.

Visitation will be held on Monday, April 4, 2022 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea, also on Tuesday at the church from 10-11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Franciscan Project, Sr. Ann Mahaney and Sr. Patty Hackett of St. Mary Catholic Church, Chelsea, MI.

Wilma M. "Dean" Burrows

Wilma Milodean “Dean” Burrows, of Dexter Twp., Michigan, passed away on January 6, 2022, just shy of her 91st birthday. She was born January 19, 1931 in Island, Kentucky, the daughter of Leslie and Beulah (Sonner) Brown.

After getting her nursing degree from Owensboro Daviess County Hospital School of Nursing in Owensboro Kentucky, she moved to Ann Arbor in 1954 to pursue her career at the University of Michigan Hospital. She met Robert W. Burrows, Sr., and they married June 30, 1956 in Island, Kentucky. They were married for 53 years.

Most of Dean’s nursing career was spent at the University of Michigan Hospitals, where she worked as a Staff Nurse, then in Nursing Administration, then for Educational Services for Nursing, where she was the Coordinator for Nurse Orientation. Working with the new nurses was one of the loves of her life. She retired in June 1992, but remained a die-hard Michigan fan!

Dean enjoyed traveling, gardening, and camping (especially with her grandchildren). She was a beloved member of the North Lake United Methodist Church, where she was active in many capacities.

She is survived by two sons, Robert W. Burrows, Jr. of Pinckney, and Howard A. Burrows II (Daniel) of Oakland, CA; two granddaughters, Kristin and Sara; four great-grandchildren, Brayden, Madeline, Elliot, and Finley; many nieces, nephews, and wonderful friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, Sr., daughter-in-law, Mary Burrows, sisters, Elaine and GayNell, and brothers, Jack Brown and Larry Brown.

Memorial contributions may be made to the North Lake United Methodist Church.

A memorial service celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2022, 11:00 a.m., at the North Lake United Methodist Church with a luncheon afterward.

Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.

Gina I. Van Riper

Gina I. Van Riper, age 58, of Gregory, Michigan, passed away on March 23, 2022 at her home.

She was born on May 19, 1963 in Ann Arbor, MI, the daughter of William and Dorothy (Haider) Van Riper.

Gina had lived in the area her entire life, graduating from Chelsea High School in 1981. She enjoyed the country life and spending time outdoors. Growing up on a dairy farm instilled a love for all animals, especially horses and dogs. Her passion throughout her life was horseback riding. She loved spending time with family and friends and they enjoyed her. She was witty and fun and would do anything to make you laugh. She was a bright spark in this world and will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her life partner of 30 years, Kyle Corser, her siblings, Linda (Gary) White, Jeff (Bridget) Van Riper, Cindy (Dennis) Fischhaber, Bill Van Riper, and Michael (Lisa) Van Riper; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by a sister, Becky Schultz, and her parents, Bill and Dottie Van Riper.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2022, 3:00 p.m., at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea with Pastor David Bucholtz officiating.

Pastor Edwin C. Reese

Pastor Edwin C. Reese, age 79, of Brooklyn, MI, passed away on March 21, 2022 at his home surrounded by his family. Edwin was born on June 16, 1942 in Detroit, MI the son of Glenn and Helen (Belfi) Reese. He had lived in Brooklyn, Michigan for the past 23 years, moving from Pittsfield Twp. He was a minister for many years and devoted many hours studying scripture.

He enjoyed spending time outside, fishing, and meticulously caring for his lawn. He loved lake life and boating. He also enjoyed riding his tractor and four wheeler.

Most importantly, he loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

He married Peggy J. (Joyner), and she preceded him in death. He is survived by his second wife, Cynthia Reese, his children, Cari (Dr. John N.) Hamblin of Canton, Julie McBride of Wixom, and Michelle (Pastor Scott) Castle of Jackson; eleven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. In addition to his first wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, two sons, Scott and Timmy Reese, and siblings Donald Reese, Kenneth Reese, and Robert Reese.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2022, 11:00 a.m., at Loomis Park Baptist Church, 2301 N. Elm St., Jackson, MI, with Dr. John N. Hamblin and Rev. Scott Castle officiating. Burial will follow at Fitchburg Cemetery in Bunkerhill Twp.

The family will receive friends at the church on Saturday from 10-11 a.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Pleasant Lake Baptist Church or the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home.