Victor J. Coval

Victor J. Coval, age 96, of Ann Arbor, MI, passed away at his home on May 11, 2022. He was born on July 4, 1925 in Petersburg, Nebraska the son of George and Lena (Zitariuc) Coval. On June 29, 1957, he married Elizabeth (Hepburn), and she preceded him in death on January 2, 2014.

Victor served his country in the United States Army and was a tank mechanic in Germany during the Korean War. He was a proud member of Operating Engineers 324 of Michigan. When Victor was not operating heavy equipment, he enjoyed watching Detroit Tigers baseball, Red Wings hockey, Michigan State sports, and NASCAR. He loved dancing with his wife and going to Stivers. Victor loved the outdoors and traveled up north to his cabin to ride snowmobiles and motorcycles. Family, faith, and friends were very important to him, along with his dogs, Isla and Jipper.

Victor is survived by his children, Thomas (Judy) Woodard, David (Linda) Woodard, Daniel Coval, and Debra (Dennis) Herrst; sister, Eleanor Hodges, nine grandchildren, many great- grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and sister-in-law, Maryann Coval. In addition to his wife Elizabeth, he was preceded in death by his son, Gary Woodard, daughter, Gail Holleran, seven siblings: Leo (Nada) Coval, Michael (Thelma) Coval, George Coval, Jr., Wilma (Dawson) Musolf, Josephine Budlong, Bernita (Russell) Aiuto, and Herman Coval; and brothers-in-law, James (Eleanor) Hodges and Gordon (Carol) Wild.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, May 20, 2022, 11:00 a.m., at St. Mary Catholic Church in Chelsea with the V. Rev. Dr. William J. Canon Turner officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

Visitation will be held at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home on Thursday, May 19, 2022 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., with Rosary at 7:30 p.m. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Humane Society of Huron Valley or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Sandra J. Davis

Sandra Jean Davis, age 69, passed away on May 9, 2022 at her home in Dexter Twp., MI.

Sandy was born on July 24, 1952 in Ann Arbor, MI to George and Lorine (Brown) Ellenwood. She had lived in Washtenaw County her entire life. She was a member of the Federated Church of Grass Lake. She loved to talk and enjoyed playing computer games and knitting. She loved baking cookies for family and friends. (We sure are going to miss them, especially her Chocolate No Bakes.)

Sandy married Mac Leonard Davis on March 10, 1989, and he survives. Also surviving are two daughters, Renee Davis of Lansing, and Tonia Deladurantye of Rives Junction; five grandchildren; two sisters, Sharon Ellenwood-Biggs, and Paula (Anthony) Clark, all of Chelsea; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Sally Ellenwood and Susan Kiner, and a brother, Daniel Ellenwood.

Funeral services will be held at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home on Friday, May 13, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Chuck McNeil officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Chelsea. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 5-8 p.m., and on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Federated Church of Grass Lake.

Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home.

Rebecca L. Freeman

May 8, 2022, early evening, comforted by her sisters, brother, and her dog, Teddy, Becca softly slipped away from us.

Born January 26, 1949 in Highland Park, MI, Becca was the oldest child of William W. and Betty A. (Pierce) Freeman. In 1953, they moved to Chelsea, MI, and this area would become her home for her entire life, creating long-lasting friendships and wonderful memories for so many of us.

Becca enjoyed summers in her childhood with grandparents and cousins in Tennessee. Through this early contact with her grandmother, a focus and love of education was established which led Becca on a journey of teaching 3rd grade through high school aged children throughout her career. There were some tangents in her journey, including retail sales, and a flight attendant in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. Becca returned to school in the mid 1980’s to receive her Master’s Degree in Special Education and utilized this knowledge to work with teenage girls at risk at Vista Maria in Dearborn. Becca then moved into Special Education at the Willow Run School District from where she retired in 2009.

Becca developed an appreciation of the outdoors and animals at a young age, with pet horses to ride, cats, dogs, and an appreciation of all wildlife. Not surprisingly, when she found her home on the Huron River it became her permanent residence, from where she enjoyed the deer, ducks, swans, and songbirds. Becca also enjoyed fishing on the river and adjoining chain of lakes – something she was taught by her dad. He taught Becca to bait her own hook and remove the fish herself if she wanted to fish with him.

Becca’s love of the outdoors included the sunshine, which led to Florida trips during school breaks. Upon her retirement she became a snowbird, a new family was found with these Florida friends. Comfort, care, and compassion from her special Florida family kept her spirits high during her toughest struggles, along with fond memories of fun times had at Crescent Beach, Captain Curt’s, and the Crescent Club.

Although Becca did not have any biological children of her own, she touched a thousand plus young lives during her teaching career. She recently admitted that the 6th graders she taught during her years in Manchester were her favorite. Along with these children were her pet cats and dogs that she had, these were her “babies” with her last little guy, Teddy, being the only one to survive her.

Preceding Becca in death were her parents, William W. and Betty A. Freeman, and brother, John G. Freeman.

Survivors include her siblings, Ruthie Freeman, and Billy (Ann) Freeman, nieces and nephews, David and Riley Stone, Emily (Dustin) Krueger, Rebecca (Micah) Behnke; and great-niece and great-nephew, Piper Stone and Jayden Krueger.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home in Chelsea on Saturday, May 14, 2022 at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Lester officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

The family would like to thank all the wonderful people at Heartland Hospice, who made Becca’s last few months comfortable, along with dear friends that kept up her spirits via text messages and Facebook posts.

Joyce A. McKimmy

Joyce Ann McKimmy, age 75, passed away on May 5, 2022 at her home in Stockbridge, Michigan. Joyce was born on April 27, 1947 in Stockbridge, MI to Walter and Mary (Carpenter) Fletcher. She married Keith McKimmy on July 7, 1968. She worked for Federal Screw in Chelsea for 20 plus years.

Joyce is survived by her three children, Terry Fletcher, Christine Sally, and Daryl (Andrea) McKimmy, all of Stockbridge; 12 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren; one brother, Bill Fletcher, two sisters, Dolores (Joe) Schroeder, and Betty Perez, all of Stockbridge. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Mary Fletcher, her son, Keith McKimmy II, a granddaughter, Morgan McKimmy, and one great-granddaughter, Ridlee McKimmy; her son-in-law, Ralph Sally, and sister-in-law, Joanne Fletcher.

Cremation has taken place, and there will be no services. Memorial contributions may be made to Crossroads Kids Club. Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home.

Johanna Koppert

Johanna Koppert, age 94 of Chelsea, Michigan passed away on May 5, 2022. Johanna was born on February 12, 1928 in Nootdorp, South Holland, The Netherlands, to Cornelis and Teuntje (DeLange) Braat. On January 19, 1955, she married Nicolaas J. Koppert, and he preceded her in death in 1995.

Johanna was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her faith was very important to her and was evident in the way she lived her life. She was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ in Saline, Michigan. Baking, sewing, knitting, needlework, and gardening were her favorite hobbies. She volunteered at Chelsea Hospital in the sewing group, making stuffed animals for children and bags for walkers to carry personal belongings. She logged in over 6000 hours volunteering prior to Covid.

Johanna is survived by her daughter, Jacoba M. Koppert of Pinckney, son, Alexander T. (Mary) Koppert of San Diego, CA, and daughter, Johanna C. (Daniel) Kruse of Chelsea; five grandchildren: Nicolaas (Robert) Guaderama of New York City, Elizabeth Koppert of Washington D.C., Brett (Stephanie) Kruse of New York City, Andrew Koppert of San Diego, and Todd (Ashley) Kruse of Tuba City, AZ; great-grandson, Joshua Kruse; brothers, Cornelis Braat, Aart Braat, and sister, Teuntje Luijendijk, all of The Netherlands; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Paul Braat, Henk Braat, Leen Braat, Pleuntje Van den Berg, and Martina DeMan.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2022, 5:00 p.m., at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Saline, with Pastor Eric Stricklin officiating. Interment will be at a later date at North Lake Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church on Saturday from 3:00 p.m. until the time of service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central and Northern Arizona or St. Paul United Church of Christ, Saline.

Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home.

Sally H. Crouch

Sally H. Crouch, age 80, of Pinckney, MI, passed away on Sunday, May 1, 2022 at Chelsea Retirement Community in Chelsea, MI.

Sally was born on July 23, 1941 in Jackson, MI. She was raised in Jackson, and later Ann Arbor, by her parents, Paul Hanawalt and Vivienne (Voorhees). After graduating from Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor (Class of ‘59), Sally attended and graduated from Mercy School of Nursing in 1962.

While fiercely caring for her sons and their families, she worked as a nurse at Chelsea Community Hospital, later retiring in 2015, after 25 years of service. Sally also served on the Hamburg Township Library Board of Trustees and was a founding member of the EBB Lake Association. She was passionate about gardening, flowers, and her peaceful yet active life on Strawberry Lake surrounded by friends and family.

She enjoyed traveling as much as she could to spend time with her sister, sons, and grandchildren, always imparting her wealth of knowledge, her passions, and her unyielding confidence upon each of them. She was blessed to have such a strong network of friends who supported her over the years.

Sally is survived by her sons, James Crouch of Texas, and Robert Crouch of Florida; the father of her children, Allin B. Crouch of Florida; seven grandchildren: AJ, Caroline, Macy, Samantha, Dave, Alexis, and Bobby; her siblings, Kathy Thompson of Kentucky, Ron Hanawalt of Colorado, and Linda Kaczmarek of California; and her nephew, Paul Thompson of Ohio. She was preceded in death by her parents, her half-sister, Mary, and her niece, Beth Swanson.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 9, 2022 at North Lawn Cemetery in North Adams, Michigan, followed by a celebration of her life at 2:00 p.m. at her home on Strawberry Lake in Pinckney.

In lieu of Flowers, donations can be made to EBB Lake Association, 5181 Burton Dr. Pinckney, MI 48169.

Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.

Jeanne A. Stapish

Jeanne A. Stapish, age 85, of Tecumseh, MI, formerly of Chelsea, MI, passed away on May 3, 2022. Jeanne was born on August 8, 1936 in Harbor Springs, MI to Stewart and Helen (Whitaker) Myers. On February 14, 1956, she married Charles R. Stapish, and he preceded her in death in 2014.

Jeanne was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Family was very important to her and always came first. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Chelsea for 65 years. She loved baking, gardening, and would can and freeze anything and everything. She loved crafting hobbies and was good at sewing, needle point, and making potholders and baskets. She also enjoyed golfing, and was a member of Inverness Country Club and enjoyed spending time with her friends in the Women’s Golf League.

Jeanne is survived by her son, Mark R. Stapish, daughter, Eileen A. Ball, and daughter-in-law, Patricia Hill; sister, Sherry Johnston; seven grandchildren: Rachel Wahr, Kyle Stapish, Alicia Stapish, Melissa Stapish, Benjamin Stapish, Dale Ball, and Tyler Ball; five great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her sons, Michael T. Stapish and Matthew C. Stapish, son-in-law, Robert D. Ball, Jr., great-granddaughter, Salome Reyes, and her siblings, Dorn Myers, Douglas Myers, and Roberta Ziegler.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, 11:00 a.m., at St. Mary Catholic Church, Chelsea, with V. Rev. Dr. William J. Canon Turner officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Chelsea. The family will receive friends at church on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home.

Ellaree Elliott

Ellaree (Marshall) Elliott, age 93, of Stockbridge, MI, passed away on April 30, 2022 at the Henry Ford Allegiance Hospice Home in Jackson, MI.

Ellaree was born on February 26, 1929 in Marshallville, KY to Curtis and Eliza (Risner) Marshall. She had lived in the Stockbridge area for the past 72 years. She moved to Michigan from Kentucky when she was in her early twenties and was a charter member of the Stockbridge Church of Christ. She enjoyed going to yard sales, listening to Bluegrass, and travelling. She had worked for Thetford in Dexter for 25 plus years.

On March 16, 1948, she married Accie Elliot, and he preceded her in death in 2003. She is survived by her five children, Von (Denise) Fletcher of Farwell, MI, Preston Elliott and Ronnie Elliott, of Jackson, MI, Bonnie (Dean) DeVoe, Clark Elliott, and Penny Marshall, of Stockbridge, MI; 20 grandchildren; 61 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Harold Marshall of Salyersville, KY and one sister, Shirley (Glenn) Mosier of Troy, TN.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, a son, Morse Elliott; grandson, Randy Elliott; brothers, Hoken Marshall, Woodrow Marshall, Glenn Marshall, Ray Marshall, and Dency Marshall; and sisters, Ruby Crews, Myrtle Mae Douglas, Lenora Jackson, and Gladys Allen.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 5, 2022 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home in Stockbridge.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, May 6, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at the Church of Christ in Stockbridge with Larrell Whitaker and Roy Wolf officiating. Burial will follow at North Waterloo Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Stockbridge Church of Christ or the Alzheimer's Association

Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home.

Larry Quinn

Lawrence G. "Larry" Quinn, age 81, of Leslie, MI, passed away on April 26, 2022 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, MI.

Larry was born January 6, 1941 in Mason, Michigan to Richard and Lucy Roberta (Herrick) Quinn. He had lived in the Stockbridge, Mason, and Leslie area his entire life. He owned and operated Quinn Excavating and Paving for 37 years. He was a member of the Michigan Steam Engine and Threshers Club, and he enjoyed restoring tractors. He was a John Deere man. He also served as Cub Scout Master for one year in Mason, and for many years served on the Ingham County Sheriff Mounted Division.

On September 10, 1960, he married Carolyn L. (Sharland) in Mason, and she survives. Also surviving are his son, Brian (Noelle) Quinn; six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren; his siblings: Katy Dixon, Helen (Terry) Craft, Anna Marie (Jerry) Ernst, Richard (Gwen) Quinn, Lou Ann (Kevin) O'Brien, Stephen (Debbie) Quinn, Betty (Ron) Hansen, Julie Smith, Robert (Cheryl) Quinn, and Scott Quinn; sisters-in-law: Carol Quinn and Sonya Quinn. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Cheryl Quinn, two brothers, Tom Quinn and William Quinn, and a grandson, Craig Blackshear, and sister-in-law, Cindy Quinn.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, May 5, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian Catholic Church, 1320 Catholic Church Road, Leslie. Burial will take place at Oaklawn Cemetery in Stockbridge.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 from 6-8 p.m. at Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge, also on Thursday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Michigan Steam Engine and Threshers Club (MSE&TC) 2249 Laxton Rd., Mason, MI 48854.

Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home.

Lois M. Schenk

Loving daughter, wife, mother and grandmother, Lois Marie (Werderman) Schenk, age 92, of Ann Arbor, MI, passed away peacefully Sunday April 24, 2022, at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital surrounded by family. Lois was born January 7, 1930, in Detroit, MI to Howard and Emilie (nee Yarchow) Werderman. Lois grew up in Detroit, not far from the Ambassador Bridge, and graduated from Western High School. Lois loved her grandparents’ farm in Romeo, MI and always wanted to live on a farm. She met her husband at a gathering in Freedom Township hosted by his grandmother, Lydia Heller.

Lois married Albert Ellsworth Schenk on June 2, 1950, in Detroit, MI at Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church. Albert passed away in 2000. They were married 50 years. She and Albert bought the Schaible farm across the street from Albert’s parents’ farm. Lois raised her family and lived for 72 years on her farm.

She is survived by her children: Diane, Richard (Jill), Elaine (Michael) Stone, Janet Pyle, and Karl (Theresa). Lois was blessed with grandchildren: Jacob and Christopher Schenk, Suzanne (Brandon) Loutzenhiser, Carl Pyle, Karlee Schenk, and great-granddaughter, Charlotte Schenk, step-grandchildren, Sarah and Shawn Stanley, Paul Stone, and step-great-grandchildren Maximus, Michael, and Maxwell Stone, and Abby and Christopher Stanley. Lois was predeceased by her husband, her infant son, Charles, son-in-law, Robert Pyle, her parents, her step-grandson, Matthew Stone, and her brother, Donald.

Lois was confirmed, married, and raised her children in the Lutheran faith. She was a life-long member of Zion Lutheran Church in Chelsea, MI, where she was a member of the quilting group for many decades. She was an active member of the Rogers Corners Ladies Extension Group and Farm Bureau for many decades. Lois enjoyed her family, friends, sewing, baking, cards, and church. She had a gentle, kind, and loving soul. She was a blessing to everyone she met.

Funeral services will be Friday, April 29, 2022 at 11:00 a.m., at Zion Lutheran Church in Chelsea. Burial will follow at Zion Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home in Chelsea on Thursday afternoon from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., as well as at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of the service.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to Zion Lutheran Church, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Kidney Foundation of Michigan.