William E. Castleberry

William Earl Castleberry, of Munith, MI, age 77, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2024 at his home surrounded by family. William was born on September 4, 1946 in Lambert, MS the son of William and Billie (James) Castleberry.

He had lived in Chelsea for 22 years, where he worked in maintenance for Chelsea Schools, retiring in 2003 after 34 years of service. He married Bonnie M. (Spellich) in Ann Arbor, MI on June 4, 1983. They moved to the Munith area in 2002.

His true happiness came from being outdoors. Whether it was hunting, fishing, or golf, he took every opportunity to experience it. A lifelong Wolverine fan, witnessing the National Championship in January was a highlight during his illness. While William didn’t show a lot of emotion, he loved his family and was a remarkable grandfather. He lit up every time there was a baby on his lap.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Castleberry; his children, Carolyn Porter of Hoover, AL, Lisa Chappel of FL, Shawn Castleberry of San Diego, CA, Denina Combs of Ypsilanti, Sarah L. (Rodney) Harper of Ypsilanti, and William J. Castleberry (Aeon) of Munith; 18 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; a brother, Ronald (Donna) Castleberry of Stockbridge, and a sister, Roxie Fisher of Jackson. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Rita Castleberry.

Private services will be held at a later date.

Those wishing to make a memorial contribution may do so to ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation.

Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home.

Jay Stielstra

Jay Stielstra died peacefully at home of heart failure on March 1, 2024. In keeping with his preferences, this is a brief and humble obituary. There will be time for many more words at a celebration of some kind in the future.

Jay was born in 1933. He left his mark as a standout athlete in his home town of Ludington, Michigan and at the University of Michigan; as a US history and social studies teacher, and football coach in the Ann Arbor Public Schools; as a carpenter; as a songwriter, playwright, poet, author and performer; as a father, brother and husband.

He is survived by his wife Barbara Schmid; his children Julie Stielstra, Jamie Meza, and Aaron Stielstra; grandchildren Ben Meza and Suzanna Meza; great grandchild Nicolas Jay Meza; siblings Elden Stielstra, Connie Nofz and Gail Stielstra; and pets Sadie and Tiger.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to an organization that promotes environmental conservation in Michigan or social justice anywhere in the world. Or, perform an act of kindness in memory of Jay when you have a chance.

Kathy A. Norris

Kathy Ann Norris, age 63, of Whitmore Lake, MI, formerly of Chelsea, MI, passed away on February 27, 2024 at Michigan Medicine Hospital in Ann Arbor, MI.

Kathy was born April 3, 1960 in Ann Arbor, MI to Lee and Loraine (Weber) Norris. Kathy grew up in Chelsea, graduated from Chelsea High School, and lived in Dexter for several years.

Kathy was very artistic, and found joy in sketching, painting, and crocheting. She also loved spending time with her family and grandchildren.

Kathy is survived by her daughter, Brittany Norris-Schlacht, and five grandchildren, of Flint, MI. She is also survived by her siblings, Glenna Norris, Linda Hughes, Tom Norris, Debbie (Gary) Koch, David Norris, and Judy (Joe) Barraco, and by several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Pamela Norris. and her nephew, John Razelun.

A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, 11:00 a.m., at the Huron River Methodist Church, 7643 Huron River Dr, Dexter. Visitation will be held at the church on Wednesday from 10-11 a.m.

Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.

Fredericka "Ricky" Fisher

Fredericka “Ricky” Ann Fisher, age 83, of Canton, MI, passed away at son’s home on February 1, 2024 in Plymouth, MI surrounded by her family.

Ricky was born on January 30, 1941 in Detroit, MI, the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Lefler) Sevald. She married Richard “Dick” H. Fisher at Our Lady of Lakes Church in Waterford, MI on February 23, 1963, and they enjoyed 57 years of marriage. They raised their family in Auburn Hills, where Ricky was active in her community, supporting her husband and children.

She volunteered at R. Grant Graham Elementary as a library assistant and spent many hours helping organize the numerous Avondale athletic booster events. She was also a member of the Auburn Hills Property Tax Board of Review and was employed at the Bagley Inn in Birmingham for many years.

Ricky was a wonderful wife, mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother, and she lived a long and fulfilled life. She enjoyed spending time in Oscoda, the making and eating of epic meals, time with family at Disney World, and antiquing/collecting with her husband. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family, attending many of her grandchildren's high school and collegiate sporting events, traveling to many states throughout the years with friends and family.

Ricky is survived by two sons, Michael (Pamela) Fisher of Plymouth, MI and Mark (Linda) Fisher of Dover, NH; four grandchildren, Evan, Luke, Eliza, and Ryan Fisher; and sisters-in-law, Lendy Sevald and Claudia (Fisher) Jenosky, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, in 2020, and her brother, Jon Sevald.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date this spring. Those wishing to attend, please refer to this survey link for more details. She will be laid to rest with her husband at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Huron Valley.

Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.

Janice M. Kitley

Janice Marie Kitley, age 81, of Munith, MI, passed away peacefully at her home in Waterloo Twp. on February 18, 2024 surrounded by her family. Born on May 3, 1942, in Alma, MI, Jan was the daughter of Homer and Ruth (Gottschalk) Hale.

On April 15, 1961, Jan married the love of her life, George L. Kitley, spending nearly six decades cycling between laughter and exasperation. Together they raised four children, Karla, Cheryl, Ken, and Cindy. Jan was particularly proud of her grandchildren for whom she crafted baby blankets, provided many meals, taught piano, covered snow day childcare, waited on buses, took forgotten items to school, and sent groceries from her home (fondly known as Meijer South). Family was the center of Jan’s life. She was happiest when her family was together and well (over)-fed.

Jan's love for music and unwavering faith found a home at Munith United Methodist Church, where she served as the organist, pianist and choir director for almost 50 years. Jan loved tending to her many chickens and enjoyed her three cats, Callie, Cece, and Beanie. Jan was an avid reader, never failing to read at least three books while on annual vacations with her family. She was known to always have snacks, at least three chapsticks, a bundle of pens, and another five pounds of miscellaneous items in her Mary Poppins purse.

After raising their four children to school age, Jan worked for Stockbridge Community Schools for many years before moving on to the University of Michigan Hospital. After retiring from U of M, Jan continued her service to the community, dedicating 16 years as Waterloo Township Clerk and serving on the local SAESA Board. Jan was always generous and welcoming, and she ‘adopted’ many delivery folks, friends, and visitors.

Jan is survived by her four children: Karla Kowalec of Munith, Cheryl Bayerl of Williamston, Ken (Tracy) Kitley of Stockbridge, and Cindy (Doug) Lance of Munith. She is also survived by her nine grandchildren: Jessica (Chad) Carr, Kenny (Lisa) Kitley, Sam (Kait) Bayerl, Cassie (Josh) Watson, Georgia Bayerl, Barb (Misti) Lance, Natalie Kowalec, Dalton Kitley, and Isaac Lance; five great-grandchildren: Layton Carr, Brady Carr, Ezra Watson, Isabel Watson, and Leigh Lance-Stevens; a brother, Vaughn Hale, sisters-in-law, Janet Senyko, Connie Kitley, and Elaine Hale; uncle, Bill Gottschalk, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jan was preceded in death by her beloved husband, George, her sister-in-law Barb Smith, brothers-in-law Bud Kitley and Ed Senyko, and her brother, Richard Hale. Heaven probably wasn’t ready for the level of rejoicing at the reunion of George and Jan.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Munith United Methodist Church on Saturday, March 30, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. with a short and light reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Cascades Humane Society or the Munith United Methodist Church.

Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge.

Wayne Miles McCalla

Wayne Miles McCalla, age 76, passed away on February 21, 2024. He was born on May 3, 1947, to Glen M. and Doris J. (Bock) McCalla in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He grew up helping his dad and uncles with the farming. He graduated from Saline High School in 1965 and attended the Michigan State Agricultural Short-Course Program. After working several different types of jobs, he eventually settled on the U.S. Post Office from which he retired. Throughout it all, he never stopped farming. Wayne was born with the soul of a farmer and he lived his life on his own terms. After hard work and saving his money, he bought his farm in 1976, where he resided until his last illness. He loved his farm, his tractors, auctions, and baseball. Wayne is survived by his significant other of many years, Mary Tobin, and her family; sister, Lynne (James) Weber and their daughter, Allissa; brother, Steven C. (Linda) McCalla and his daughter, Cortney. He was predeceased by his parents and his nephew, Joshua M. McCalla. A gathering of family and friends will be held on February 29, 2024, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Staffan Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea. A graveside service will be held just down the road from his farm at the Freedom Emanuel Evangelical Memorial Cemetery in Freedom Township at the intersection of Ellsworth and Lima Center roads, on March 1, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Michigan Future Farmers of America or a Washtenaw County 4-H Club of your choice.

Catherine A. Konarske Carmack

Catherine Ann (Crenshaw) Konarske Carmack, age 74, of Gregory, MI and Sarasota, FL, passed away peacefully on February 13, 2024 in Riverview, Michigan. Cathy was born January 8, 1950, in Wayne, MI to James and Rosetta (Santoro) Crenshaw. She married James Konarske on December 22, 1967, and they had a daughter, April (Konarske) Hansen.

On July 14, 1989, she married Bobbie Carmack, who preceded her in death on June 6, 2005.

Cathy lived on Joslin Lake in Gregory, MI for over 51 years and wintered at her home in Sarasota, FL for the last nine years.

She grew up in Wyandotte, Michigan. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1968, and as a teen she worked at Giordano’s Pizza.

She traveled for a short stint in Tennessee and South Carolina with her husband, James Konarske while he was in the military. Shortly thereafter, they settled in Unadilla Twp., Michigan.

Cathy worked as an energetic server for Weber’s Inn in Ann Arbor, MI for approximately 18 years. There she met Bobbie Carmack, a regular customer for many years, who later became her second husband. They liked to work around the house, relax on the lake, and in their free time, ride their Harleys.

Additionally, Cathy worked as an administrative assistant at Guenther Building, and as a scheduler for EPMG. In 2003, she worked as an administrative assistant to Fr. Brendan Walsh and St. Joseph’s Parish in Dexter, MI until her retirement in 2011.

Cathy had a passion for community, laughing, talking, sharing stories, and helping animals and people in need. Her favorite pastimes were gardening, watching birds, and rescuing animals, traveling, skiing, boating, sunbathing, and gathering shells on the beach. She loved spending time at family gatherings and visiting her twin granddaughters, Mandy and Liberty Hansen. Cathy volunteered at a wildlife rescue, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Ann Arbor, St Joseph’s Parish, and festivals in Dexter, MI.

Cathy is survived by her daughter, April (David) Hansen; grandchildren, Mandy Hansen and Liberty Hansen; sister, Sharon (Kenneth) Belknap, brother, Ron (Dawn) Crenshaw, sister, Lorraine (Arthur) Ruge, sister, Mary Jo (William) Welsch, and a sister, Rosemarie (Johnathan) Barnosky; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, a sister-in-law, Jackie Santoro. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, James Santoro.

Mass of Christian Burial will be prayed at St. Joseph Village Church, 3430 Dover St., Dexter, with Fr. Brendan J. Walsh presiding, on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.

The family will receive friends at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, 901 N. Main St., Chelsea, on Friday, March 1, 2024 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., with a Wake Service at 7:00 p.m. The family will also receive friends at the church on Saturday one hour prior to the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Frank R. Spadafore

Frank R. Spadafore, age 80, of the Stockbridge community, whose entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering commitment to family touched countless lives, passed away on February 13, 2024, at Trinity Health Ann Arbor in Superior Twp., MI. Born on March 24, 1943, in Stockbridge, MI, Frank was the son of Paul Sr. and Jennie (Fabiano) Spadafore.

Frank's journey began in Stockbridge, MI, where he cultivated his roots and flourished as the proprietor of Spadafore’s Food Market in Pinckney, where he fostered enduring connections and left an indelible mark on the community. A proud graduate of Stockbridge High School, Class of 1961, Frank epitomized the values of hard work and dedication. On July 24, 1971, Frank embarked on a lifelong journey of love and companionship, exchanging vows with his soulmate, Norma (Mitchell), in Bunker Hill, MI. Together, they established their cherished home in Pinckney, MI, where they raised their family and crafted a treasure trove of precious memories.

A visionary entrepreneur, Frank was a cornerstone of the surrounding communities. Yet, amidst his professional endeavors, Frank's greatest joy stemmed from his devotion to family. A loving husband, father, and grandfather, he reveled in attending his children’s and grandchildren's sporting events and school functions, where his unwavering support echoed throughout the stands. In his leisure time, Frank found solace in the simple pleasures of life, relishing moments spent playing cards, teeing off on the golf course, and passionately cheering on his beloved Notre Dame football team.

Frank's legacy of love and devotion will forever endure in the hearts of his beloved wife, Norma, their four children: Michael Spadafore of Ann Arbor, Tony (Kelly) Spadafore of Chelsea, Joe (Melissa) Spadafore of East Lansing, and Nick (Melissa) Spadafore of East Lansing; nine adoring grandchildren: Ryan, Mya, Hunter, Phoebe, Aidan, Loela, Stella, Georgia, and Sienna; and his sister-in-law, Connie Spadafore of Stockbridge. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Sr. and Jennie Spadafore, his brother, Paul Spadafore, his sister, Josephine Wood, and an infant sister, Kathryn Spadafore. Frank's spirit will continue to shine brightly through the cherished memories and lasting impact he leaves behind.

Visitation will be held at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home located at 901 North Main, Chelsea, MI, on Thursday, February 22, 2024, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, February 23, 2024, 11:00 a.m., at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Brighton, MI, with V. Rev. Dr. William J. Canon Turner. The family will also receive friends at the church on Friday from 10-11 a.m.

Luncheon immediately following the service at Crystal Gardens Event Center, located at 5768 E Grand River Ave, Howell, MI 48843

Memorial contributions may be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation or the Stockbridge Area Emergency Services Authority (SAESA).

Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.

Darla J. Bohlender

Darla J. Bohlender, of Chelsea, MI, age 84, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was born on June 2, 1939, in Ivanhoe, MN, to the late Claire and Mary (Fitzgerald) Domek. Darla married John W. Bohlender on October 27, 1962 in Minnesota. After residing in the Chicago, IL area and the Crawfordsville, IN for many years, they moved their family to Chelsea, MI in 1978.

Darla earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing, but she found her niche in real estate. She worked for many years as a real estate agent for Thornton Realtors in Chelsea. She was an active member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Chelsea, as well as the Chelsea Senior Center.

She loved music and found joy in playing the piano. She also enjoyed shopping, going out to eat, and going to the casino. She was a member of Inverness Country Club, where she enjoyed many friendships and played in the Women's League. She also liked doing arts and crafts. Most of all, she loved her family. She was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother.

Darla is survived by four children, Michael (Peggy) Bohlender of Silverthorne, CO, Tracy (Edward) Jennings of Brighton, MI, Matthew (Leanne) Bohlender of Saline, and Kristin Scherer of Dexter; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild; a brother, John (Donna) Kluczny, of Austin, MN, and a sister, Mary Jo (James) Dressen of Iowa; many nieces and nephews; as well as her dear friend, Toni Wilson of Chelsea. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Bohlender in 2016, and a sister, Vina Johnson.

Visitation will be held at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home on Thursday, February 15, 2024, from 5-7 p.m., with Rosary at 6:30 p.m., led by Deacon John Kluczny. The family will also receive friends at the church on Friday from 10-11 a.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, February 16, 2024, 11:00 a.m., at St. Mary Catholic Church, Chelsea, with V. Rev. Dr. William J. Canon Turner officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Chelsea Senior Center or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Bart C. Calloway

Bart Conrad Calloway, of Chelsea, MI, age 80, passed away on February 2, 2024 at his home in Chelsea, MI. Bart was born on October 1, 1943 in Manchester, MI, the son of Willie L. and Sammie W. (Paschell) Calloway.

He graduated from Clinton High School. He served in the United States Air Force for four years. He worked as a Tool and Die Maker for Ford Motor Company for 17 years and for Variety Die and Stamping in Dexter for 18 years, retiring from there.

He married Sandra Kay "Sandy" (Fletcher) on July 1, 1995, and she survives. Also surviving are two sons, Beau Calloway and Liam (Jessica) Calloway, grandchildren, Bradley, Skyler, and Roman; his brothers, Barry (Becky) Calloway, Ben Calloway, and a sister, Joyce Marx, all of Tennessee; several nieces and nephews; and a brother-in-law, Larry (Gayle) Fletcher of Chelsea.

He was an outdoorsman, and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He had a place up north and loved spending time up there.

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

Memorial contributions may be made to the family.

Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home.