Janet L. Harden

Janet L. Harden, age 72, of Chelsea, MI, formerly of Livonia, MI and Linwood, MI, passed away on July 31, 2023. Janet was born on November 21, 1950 in Bay City, MI, the daughter of Leo and Marian (Luptowski) Kula.

Janet had lived in Livonia, MI for many years, and she most recently moved to Chelsea. She was a nurse for 50 years, graduating from Madonna University in 1973. She later received her MBA from Madonna University, and then her Master's in Nursing Administration and her PhD from the University of Michigan. For 20 years she served as Professor and Assistant Dean of the School of Nursing at Wayne State University.

She was a devoted Catholic her entire life and was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Parish in Dexter. She enjoyed many crafts, crocheting, as well as reading. She also loved spending time outdoors, gardening, camping, and hiking. Most of all she loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.

On October 20, 1973 she married Edward C. Harden in Detroit, MI, and he survives. Also surviving are two children, Timothy (Michelle) Harden of Farmington Hills, and Susan (Michael) Schawinsky of Dexter; five grandchildren: Joseph "JW", Henry, Jillian, Abigail, and Cameron; and a sister, Lori (Thomas) Shaver of Georgia. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Leon and Robert Kula, and a sister, Carol Howlett.

Visitation will be held at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea on Friday, August 4, 2023, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be prayed on Saturday, August 5, 2023, 11:00 a.m., at St. Joseph Village Church, 3430 Dover Street Dexter, MI, with Fr. Brendan J. Walsh officiating. The family will also receive friends at the church on Saturday from 10-11 a.m.

Burial will take place at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, MI.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or St. Joseph Catholic Church, Dexter. Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home.

Gretchen (Craig) Scott

Gretchen (Craig) Scott, age 83, of Dexter, MI, passed away on July 19, 2023. She is survived by her husband, Douglas Scott.

She was the daughter of James and Edna (Krohn) Craig and was born March 16, 1940 in Providence, Rhode Island. Gretchen graduated from the Rhode Island School of Nursing and worked for many years in the ER, as well as the Neuro Intensive Care Unit, and Labor and Delivery. She worked for Beyer, St. Joseph Mercy, and the University of Michigan Hospitals. She also spent 20 years volunteering for the Dexter School District in the Bates Elementary Library. She loved her cats, hockey, the Boston Red Sox, and quahogs. Gretchen also volunteered over the years with the Huron Valley Humane Society and the Dexter Library Book Sales. 

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her son, Michael (Alison) Althouse; grandchildren, Andrew (Kristen) Althouse, Evan (Gabbie) Althouse; great-grandchildren, Samantha Rose, and a great-grandson due in December. She was preceded in death by her brother, James Andrew “Andy” Craig. 

Per her wishes, there are no services at this time. A private burial will take place at a later date in Rhode Island.

Justin M. Gladstone

Justin Michael Gladstone, age 36, of Horton, MI, was called home on July 18, 2023. He was born August 14, 1986 in Jackson, MI, the son of Mark and Mariann (Huttenlocher) Gladstone.

Justin, a Panther, graduating in 2004 from Western Schools, enjoyed playing golf and baseball. Justin had a magnetic personality that was hard to match, with his outgoing nature and love for his family and friends. He enjoyed spending time outdoors, especially with his fiancé, Tayler Green, and sons, Tucker and Owen. Justin was a proud father, and was passionate about teaching the boys to hunt and fish. Justin was looking forward to his upcoming nuptials, and he could always be counted on for a good laugh. Justin was a member of St. Jacob Lutheran Evangelical Church in Grass Lake, where he took pride in being sexton of the church cemetery. Justin worked at Diversified Precision Products for the past two years. A son, a brother, an uncle, a fiancé, a father and a friend - Justin was a good man, a good man that will be remembered forever in the great memories he made with those whom he loved and who loved him.

Justin is survived by his parents, Mark and Mariann Gladstone, fiance, Tayler Green, children, Owen Gladstone and Tucker Heath, his grandmother, Marlene Huttenlocher, and a sister, Julie (Tyler) Northcutt of Texas. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Robert and Rowena Gladstone, and Everell Huttenlocher.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 22, 2023 from 5-8 p.m. at Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge, MI.

A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, July 23, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Jacob Evangelical Lutheran Church in Grass Lake, with Pastor Kurt Uhlenbrauck officiating. The family will also receive friends at the church on Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until the time of service.

Memorial contributions may be made to an educational fund for his children. Please make checks to Tayler Green.

Arlene L. Grau

Arlene Loretta (Koebbe) Grau, age 92, long time resident of Chelsea, passed away on July 17, 2023 at her home in Freedom Twp, MI. Arlene was born on May 1, 1931 in Detroit, MI, the daughter of Emerson and Loretta (Heim) Koebbe. Arlene grew up in Dearborn and moved to Chelsea when she was 18 years old.

In the ninth grade, she said that she wanted to marry a farmer and have 12 kids. On December 18, 1948, she married Alton A. Grau, and they enjoyed 71 years of marriage. They were blessed with six children. Arlene was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Chelsea, where she was baptized and confirmed on September 18, 1950. She was very active in the church community, serving as an altar guild member, a Sunday School teacher, a member of the Women of Zion, and a Funeral Committee volunteer. In November 2016, she was awarded Faithful Servant of the Year at Zion. She was a talented seamstress, and volunteered her sewing time and talent for L.W.R. (Lutheran World Relief). She loved and was grateful for her family and friends, her church, her farming life, and the community she lived in.

Arlene is survived by her children, Cheryl (Sam) Dimon of New York, Susan (Alan) Cohen of New Jersey, Michael (Lynne Knowlton) Grau of California, Timothy (Debra) Grau of Kentucky, Christopher Grau of Chelsea, and son-in-law, Ken Carty of Waterloo Twp.; 13 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, James Grau of Chelsea, as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alton A. Grau, daughter, Judith Grau, three brothers, Duane, Clair, and Melvin Koebbe, two sisters, Audrey Sisco, and Marilyn Boutet.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, July 22, 2023,1:00 p.m., at Zion Lutheran Church in Chelsea with Pastor Kurt Hutchens officiating. Burial will follow at Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery in Freedom Township, MI.

Visitation will be held at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home on Friday, July 21, 2023 from 5-7 p.m. , also at the church on Saturday from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Zion Lutheran Church.

Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.

Laurmer "Jack" Barbour

Laurmer "Jack" Barbour, age 80, of Munith, MI, passed away on July 18, 2023 in Jackson, MI. Jack was born on August 5, 1942 in Gregory, MI, the son of Laurmer and Ruth (Hoard) Barbour. He had lived in the Gregory area all of his life.

Jack proudly served in the United States Army. On August 14, 1964, he married Karen J. (Herbert) in Fowlerville, MI, and they enjoyed nearly 58 years of marriage. Jack had worked for Pfizer for 38 years. He was a member of the Plainfield United Methodist Church, and he enjoyed woodworking, cooking, and reading. Most of all, Jack was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

He is survived by four children, Troy Barbour of Louisiana, Annette Barbour of Howell, MI, Patrice Elkins of Jackson, MI, and Christine (Michael) Bremiller of Jackson, MI; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; two sisters, Karen Olson of Tennessee, and Kathy Freeman of Ypsilanti. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his siblings, Steven Barbour, June Sherman, and Patricia Cahoon.

Funeral services will be held at the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge, on Friday, July 21, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Missy Noll officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 11:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Plainfield United Methodist Church.

Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home.

Douglas W. Connelley

Doug Connelley was born on August 30th, 1952, at Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He grew up in Chelsea, Michigan and was in the Chelsea High School Class of 1970.

In the wee hours of the morning on Sunday, July 16th in 2023, Doug’s eternal spirit was forever released from his earthbound wheelchair, with his family and his extended family of kind caretakers by his side at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Doug’s ingeniously fast mind and captivatingly kind heart were often obscured by his pretty face. The girls in high school loved Doug’s youthful good looks almost as much as his latest hospital nurses loved Doug’s 70-year-old boyish charm. It was his positive spirit that drove Doug’s heart though good and bad times, making them all good in the long run. If not, they were forgotten in the short run.

Doug loved life, regardless of its challenges. He prayed that everyone else could find positive experiences to be able to appreciate our time on earth as well as he did. As Doug’s younger brother Mike remarked, “Doug had a heart of gold and always worried about others. I’d hide at the doorway and listen to him pray. He never asked for anything for himself. He prayed for love and others to be in good health. He loved and believed in Christ.”

Having suffered a catastrophic injury from an automobile accident in his early 20s, Doug spent about 50 years of his life as a quadriplegic artist provocateur (one who induces others to be as artistic as he was). Doug painted beautiful watercolor images by holding paint brushes in his mouth. Doug uplifted everyone’s day with his positive charm offensive of curiously caring, with his raised eyebrows over his happy, shiny eyes on top of that big smile over his love of life. Tommy Lannon, one of Doug’s closely connected caretakers reflected, “Doug was a real-life Superman. Toughest and most tender guy I ever met.” Doug’s driving determination to love life was as powerful as his humble heart was soothing to those who found it hard to do so. Genuinely ingratiating himself to all with his honest good nature and brilliant foresight opened doors for Doug at a young age, doors he went through before most of us even knew what doors were for.

At 16-years-old, Doug was a roadie for the Up, a popular rock band. Doug moved into the band’s commune at the White Panther Party Headquarters, where he was an overhead projectionist and liquid lightshow artist for the People’s Power and Light Company, providing liquid light shows for bands like Grand Funk Railroad. At 17, Doug scanned how pages were laid out and did press typesetting for the Ann Arbor Argus Weekly Newspaper while teaching others how to do so.

At 20, Doug moved to Boston for a couple of years to work with the legendary Jeep Holland, a Michigan concert promoter, record company president, and former manager of many local bands. Not long after returning to Michigan, Doug was in a car wreck that changed his life forever. Doug then flew through the rest of his life like the Superman he always was, regardless of being bound to a wheelchair. Until recently. Doug’s love of life now flies free forever. Doug was saved and accepted the Lord in 1984 at the Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan and he kept a Bible at his bedside ever since.

Doug is survived by his father, Conrad Connelley, his mother, Faye Adams Connelley, brother, Michael Connelley, and sister, Connie Mejia, along with nephews, Chris Pittao of Windsor, Canada, Cameron Fraser of Pinkney, Michigan, and his special aunt, Judy Brown of Chelsea, Michigan.

Please join Doug Connelley’s family, friends, and extended family of friendly caretakers celebrating Doug’s love of life. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, July 29, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at the Oak Grove East Cemetery in Chelsea, Michigan

Nancy E. Kimball

Surrounded by family and friends, Nancy Elizabeth Richmond Kimball, age 86, passed peacefully into eternity on July 12, 2023 at 8:30 p.m.

Nancy is survived by her beloved husband of 65 years, Lloyd E. Kimball, her daughter, Connie (Thomas) Webber, her son, Daniel (Jane) Kimball, and grandsons, Nathaniel, Philip, Robert, John, and Justin Webber, and Ryan and Matthew Kimball.

Viewing and Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 20, 2023, at Jeruel Baptist Church, 11400 Plum Orchard Road, Munith, Michigan 49259. There will be a viewing at 10:00 a.m. and funeral will be at 11:00 a.m., with a luncheon to follow.

Nancy, born, May 8, 1937, to Ezra and Clara Richmond, surrendered her life to Christ at the age of 9, and was wedded to Lloyd on December 28, 1957. She was a blessing to her children, grandsons, and to all who knew her. She loved to work with children in junior church. She was a light shining brightly for her Heavenly Father.

Donations may be made in her name to Jeruel Baptist Church or Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA).

Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge.

Marilyn Ann Katz

Marilyn Ann Katz at the age of 84 went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She passed in peace on her family farm the evening of Tuesday, July 11, 2023. She was the daughter of Elmer and Elizabeth (Graf) Lytle, born on November 15, 1938.

Marilyn was raised in the Millville area until moving to Munith with her parents in early 1950s. Marilyn graduated from Stockbridge High School in the class of 1957. She married the love of her life, Dean Katz on June 26, 1960, and they were blessed to spend 59 loving years together. Marilyn worked for Farmers State Bank of Munith for over 46 years. She took great pride in running the family farm with her husband, working endless hours, raising calves, milking cows, record keeping, and keeping her farmers in check. Marilyn was known for her love of mowing lawn, flower gardens, her family, and her faith.

She is survived by her children, Deborah (Patrick) Feeney of Dansville, MI and Michael (Michelle) Katz of Munith, MI, and sister-in-law, Sue (Bailey) Lytle. Marilyn was blessed with six grandchildren, Richard (Jennifer) Hitchcock, Jordan (Amanda) Hitchcock, Matthew (Jackie) Katz, Ryan (Caitlin) Hitchcock, Courtnee (Kyle) Knepley, and Jeffrey (Madison) Katz. She was then blessed with 16 great-grandchildren who she adored. She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, and brother, Jerry Lytle.

Visitation will be held Friday, July 14, 2023 from 5-8 p.m. at Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge, MI.

Funeral services will take place on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Jeruel Baptist Church in Munith, with Pastor Josh Swieringa officiating. Burial services will follow at the Munith Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until time of service.

Donations in honor of Marilyn can be made to Jeruel Baptist Church or Munith United Methodist Church, both of Munith, MI.

Arrangement made by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home.

Donald J. Bush

Donald Jay Bush, age 84, of Chelsea, MI, passed away on July 5, 2023.

Don was born on September 10, 1938 in Ypsilanti, MI to Howard Jr. and Caroline (Wilbur) Bush.

Don graduated from Belleville High School in 1957. On August 2, 1958, he married Rebecca L. (Slane). Soon after, they moved to the Chelsea area. For 30 plus years, he owned and operated his own business, Diversified Dimensional Deburring on Jackson Road. Later, he worked as an auditor for Macdee, Inc. in Chelsea, retiring in 2004.

Don and Becky raised their family in Chelsea and attended the First United Methodist Church. Don loved spending time outdoors. He enjoyed fishing and looked forward to his annual fishing trip to Oba Lake in Ontario, Canada with family and a close group of friends. He also enjoyed bowling. Most of all, Don loved his family and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Surviving are his wife of nearly 65 years, Becky, and two sons, Howard (Tammy) Bush of Chelsea, and Ted Bush of Chelsea; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; his siblings: Diana Loshaw of Vanderbilt, MI, Micki (Denis) Howard of Boyne City, MI, Jane (Mike) Randolph of Loch Erin, MI, David Bush of Ypsilanti, Daniel (Trang) Bush of Seattle, WA, Irene Rolston of Oregon, and Marjorie (Richard) Pregitzer of California. He was preceded in death by his father, Howard Jr., mother, Caroline, second mother, Audrey, daughter, Elizabeth A. Bush Riedel in 1998, a brother, Bill Bush, a sister, Mary (Bruce) Werner, and brother-in-law, Robert Loshaw.

Per his wishes, cremation has taken place, and a private service will be held at a later date.

Those wishing to make a memorial contribution in Don's name may do so to Chelsea Hospital.

Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.

Stanley E. Kebbe

Stanley Erickson Kebbe, of Dexter, MI, was born on July 18, 1941 in Redding, California, and he passed away at home in Dexter on Tuesday, July 4, 2023.

Stan was the son of Stanley E. Kebbe and Anita (Erickson) Kebbe. Stan’s dad was a hydraulics engineer who built dams across the west, so Stan grew up on the move from California to Oregon to Wyoming to South Dakota to New York, where he graduated from Salmon River Central High School in Bombay, New York.

Stan served a hitch as an MP in the United States Army before graduating from Eastern Kentucky University with a degree in teaching industrial arts. After retiring from teaching, he had a second career in the tool department at Home Depot in Denver, Colorado.

In 2021, Stan moved to Dexter to be closer to his family. He is survived by his (twin) sister, Sandra Kebbe Hansen, and her husband, John, of Dexter, and his niece, Claire (Eric) Robinson of Chelsea, Michigan.

The family will conduct a private memorial service at a later date.

Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.