Allen Fredrick "Fred" Reilly

Allen Fredrick "Fred" Reilly, age 75, of Munith, MI, passed away on December 21, 2025 at his home.

Fred was born on May 22,1950 in Ann Arbor, MI, the son of Basil and Mary (Killoran) Reilly. He married Donna Jean (Bickford) in 2011, and she survives him. Also surviving are two children, Matt (Gayle) Reilly, and Valerie (Scott) Chrisinske; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his siblings.

A private service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home.

Evelyn Eleanor (Reinking) Kay

Of Dansville, MI, formerly of Detroit, MI

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Evelyn's death on December 21, 2025, a day after her 91st birthday.

Evelyn was born December 20, 1934 in St Louis, MO, the daughter of Fredrick and Thelma (Hix) Reinking. Evelyn grew up in Detroit, graduating from Detroit Redford High School. She then attended Wayne State University. Evelyn was raised in The Salvation Army Dearborn Heights Citadel where she met her husband, Ronald "Butch" Kay. They married in Detroit, MI, in 1955 and raised their family in the Detroit area. She also worked there for many years as the church secretary. After retiring from the Salvation Army, she was director of the Stockbridge Community Outreach for several years.

Evelyn enjoyed music, family trips to Indiana, attending church camps in Michigan and Wisconsin, volunteering at church, and spending day trips at Belle Isle, enjoying the park and watching the boats.

Surviving are two children, Sandra (Larry Johnson) Kay of Stockbridge, and Jeanne (Terry) Arseneau of Dansville; five grandchildren: John (Camilla) McLeod of Westland, Sam McLeod of Logan, OH, Jessie (Eric) Swinehart of Bay City, Michael Arseneau of Dansville, and Christopher Arseneau of Lansing; and two great-grandchildren, Ava and Archer Arseneau. She is also survived by in-laws, and dear friends, Dorothy and George Aren and Larry and Marcia Kay; as well as many dear nieces and nephews and their families.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald; a sister, Mary Rose Reinking; her parents, Fredrick and Thelma; her parents-in-law, John and Henrietta Kay; and brother- and sister-in-law, John and Virginia Kay.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 26, 2025, 11:00 a.m., at Millville United Methodist Church in Stockbridge, with Pastor Rhonda Osterman officiating. The family will receive friends at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. A private burial will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Heartland Hospice or the Salvation Army.

Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge.

Lawrence L. "Larry" Wolcott

Lawrence Lees “Larry” Wolcott, born August 17, 1936, passed away peacefully at the University of Michigan Hospital at the age of 89, leaving behind a life defined by quiet wisdom, artistry, and a steady devotion to friends and family.

Raised in Upper Nyack, New York, Larry showed an early aptitude for craftsmanship, building his own cruiser while still in high school. A proud graduate of the University of Michigan, he went on to spend 30 years as a science teacher at Adams Junior High in the Wayne-Westland School District. He loved children and found deep purpose in teaching them about the natural world in creative and thoughtful ways.

Lawrence shared 64 years of marriage with his beloved wife, Julie. He expressed his care through loving acts of devotion, cooking for them both each night and, up to the very end, making sure her garden was filled with zinnias each summer.

He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Harrelson, and son-in-law, Dean Harrelson; his grandchildren, Evan Banyash and Marc Banyash; and his brother, Peter Wolcott.

Larry was a creative lifelong learner who could fix nearly anything. A skilled carpenter and metalworker, he also explored photography, glass blowing, fossil hunting, astronomy, and meteorology, and loved a good giant bubble making session or DIY firework display. He created exquisite furniture pieces for his daughter that she treasures and leaves behind many handmade creations, including cutting boards, tables, boxes, and metal artwork of animals, insects, and flowers, now cherished in the homes of loved ones across the country.

Larry will be remembered for his gentle nature, capable hands, and the quiet ways he made life better for others.

A celebration of life will be held in the spring, with details available through Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home in Chelsea, Michigan.

Samantha R. Sparrow

Samm (Samantha) Rose Sparrow, age 34, passed away on December 21, 2025 at Michigan Medicine with her sister, Rebecca, by her side.

Samm was a fighter from the start. Overcoming a collapsed lung, she was born in Warren, MI on October 4th, 1991. Never being one to sit still for long, Samm moved around until she settled in Ann Arbor, MI where she attended Ross Medical School and became a medical assistant. Prior to that she cherished her time at Dominos where she met her husband, Dan. They married on October 30, 2021. They bought a home together in Scio Farms where they raised their two children.

She had a large impact in her community, starting up a local Neighborhood Watch, participating in the March of Dimes, a charity that spoke to her heart (and recovered lung). She found happiness in doing crafts with her children, being there for those that needed her, and watching NCIS.

Samm is survived by her husband, Daniel D. Sparrow II, and their two children, Austin (11) and Mira (7). Also surviving are her mother, Cynthia Wentworth of Jackson; her siblings: Amanda (Mike McCormack) Presnell of Grass Lake, Ken Presnell Jr. of Jackson, Drake Morency of Ypsilanti, Rebecca (Alex) Sparrow of Clinton, and Brandy Wentworth of Warren; her grandmother, Joan Hayes of West Bloomfield; her Mimi, Dolores Morency of Royal Oak; her stepfather, Steve Wentworth of Grass Lake; along with a gaggle of nieces and nephews, and so much more family and friends that will truly miss her.

Samm will forever be remembered for her spunkiness, her love of baseball (go Tigers!), and the love that she had for her family and friends.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 26, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, 901 North Main Street, Chelsea, as well as on Saturday, December 27, 2025, from 10-11 a.m.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2025, 11:00 a.m., at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, with Pastor Trish Farrell officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family.

Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home.

Jill A. Bailey

Jill Alene Bailey, age 75, of Stockbridge, Michigan, passed away peacefully on December 19, 2025, at the Henry Ford Hospice Home in Jackson.

Jill was born on July 29, 1950, in Stockbridge, Michigan, the daughter of Daniel and Rylma (Nelson) Owen. She spent her entire life in the Stockbridge area.

Jill was a loving, kind-hearted woman who was always in good spirits. She had a special love for children—especially her own children and grandchildren. She loved to clean, and she took great pride in her work. She was self-employed as a barber for many years and also worked in the housekeeping department at Chelsea Hospital.

Jill is survived by her three children, Stephanie (Ryan) Cornish of Stockbridge, Shane Collins of Munith, and Travis (Amber) Collins of Stockbridge; the father of her children, Stephen Collins of Stockbridge; eight grandchildren: Devin, Hana, Makenzie, Kegan, Emma, Brayden, Madilyn, and Brady; and one great-grandchild on the way. She is also survived by her brother, Ridge (Vicki) Owen of Kentucky, and her sister-in-law, Jackie Owen of Jackson.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Paul Bailey; and her brothers, Ned (Judy) Owen and Lynn Owen.

Visitation will be held at the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home in Stockbridge on Monday, December 22, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Burial will take place at a later date at Oaklawn Cemetery.

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

Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge.

Alice S. (Stanfield) Siegrist

Alice Sophia (Stanfield) Siegrist, age 90, of Jackson, Michigan, peacefully passed away on December 17, 2025, at Vista Grande Villa, where she had resided for over 30 years.

Alice was born on October 21, 1935, in Durand, Michigan, the daughter of Elihu and Pearl (Miles) Mixer.

She graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 1961 and dedicated more than 30 years of her life to education. Throughout her teaching career, Alice served students in Petoskey and Essexville before retiring from the Northwest School District in Jackson. Alice was a talented quilter and generously donated many of her handmade quilts to local veterans. She was a devoted member of St. Jacob Evangelical Lutheran Church for over 50 years.

Alice was first married to Eldrin Stanfield, and they lived for many years in Munith, MI, on a centennial homestead. Eldrin preceded her in death on June 26, 1991. Following his passing, Alice moved to Vista Grande Villa Retirement Community in Jackson, where she embraced retirement living. Shortly thereafter, she met William “Bill” Siegrist, and the two were married at St. Jacob Evangelical Lutheran Church in 2005. They shared six years of marriage before Bill’s passing in 2011.

Alice is survived by nine nieces and nephews, and her sister-in-law, Joyce E. Mixer. In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by three brothers: Darwin (Joyce) Mixer, Phillip (Joan) Mixer, and Lewis Mixer.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Jacob Evangelical Lutheran Church, 12501 Riethmiller Road, Grass Lake, with Pastor Kurt Uhlenbrauck officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

Following the service, the family invites all who are attending to attend a luncheon in the church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Optimal Care Hospice Foundation, or St. Jacob Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge.

Edward E. Goulet

Edward Emery Goulet, age 96, a long-time resident of Kawkawlin, MI, currently residing in Chelsea, MI, passed away Thursday morning, December 18, 2025, following a short illness.

Ed was born on May 8, 1929, at the family farm in Kawkawlin, MI, the son of Samuel and Laura (Erbisch) Goulet.  He graduated from St. James High School in Bay City, MI in 1946, and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1951-1953 – stationed in the Canal Zone, Panama for most of his service.  Upon returning, he worked on the farm with his dad, and later took over the farm in 1956.

During a blizzard on February 6, 1960, Ed married the love of his life, Lois Richter, who had previously stated she would never marry a farmer.  They enjoyed 57 years of a wonderful marriage before her passing in 2017.  In 1966, Ed got out of farming and went to work at Wieland Sales, an International Harvester dealership in Auburn, MI, first as a service manager and later in farm equipment and semi tractor truck sales.  Ed retired in 1992.  Ed and Lo were always together, and spent their retirement years golfing, bird watching, relaxing at their cabin in Gladwin, MI, wintering in Harlingen, TX and visiting their children and families scattered across the U.S.  Ed loved his family very much and his Catholic faith was very important to him.  He leaves a legacy of honesty and hard work, all done with a sense of humor and positive attitude, for his friends and family to remember and emulate.

Ed is survived by his four children:  Mark (Joung) Goulet of Harvard, MA; Mike (Christine) Goulet of Princeton, WI; Kathy (Brooks) Cone of Chelsea, MI; and Lisa (David) Hagenbuch of Palatine, IL.  He is further survived by eleven grandchildren:  Benjamin (Allison) Goulet-Scott, Andrew Goulet, Lauren (Travis) Thompson, Samuel (Jill) Goulet, Hannah (Jacob) Stumpf, Spencer (Julia) Cone, Simon Cone, Amos Cone, Abraham Cone, Isabelle Hagenbuch, and Jack Hagenbuch.  Ed also has three great-grandchildren:  Sora Goulet-Scott, Jun Goulet-Scott, and Ulysses Cone.  Ed is further survived by his sister, Delores Goulet, and many nieces and nephews.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Lois, brother Clarence and sisters Arlene (Albert) Creighton and Joan (Joseph) Hieb.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 14200 E Old US Highway 12, Chelsea, MI.  The family will greet relatives and friends at church before the service, beginning at 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.  A private interment at Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly, MI, will take place at a later date.

The family would like to thank Silver Maples of Chelsea and all their extraordinary staff for the wonderful, loving care they afforded our dad for the past six years.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Silver Maples of Chelsea or Arbor Hospice in Ed’s honor. Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.

Margaret Elaine Lobbestael

Margaret Elaine Lobbestael died at the Chelsea Hospital on December 16, 2025 in Chelsea, Michigan. She was born the daughter of Eugene E. and Marion (Piesik) Stewart on January 13,1946 in Bay City, MI. John and Margaret Shared 59 years of marriage together.

Margaret was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who always put others first before herself. In addition to her husband, John, she is survived by her son, Scott John Lobbestael;  grandchildren, Jenna Tamara and Maximos James Lobbestael. She is also survived by her sister, Nancy Anderson. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents and her daughter, Tamara Lynn Bowman in 1988.

The family will receive friends at the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church of Farmington Hills on Friday, December 19, 2025 from 5-8 p.m. and again Saturday, December 20, 2025 from 10-11 a.m. A funeral service will take place at the church on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.

Carolyn R. "Carol" Graustein

Carolyn Rose Graustein, age 79, of Manchester, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital.

Carol was born on November 16, 1946, in Ypsilanti, Michigan, the daughter of Sam Allocco. On February 25, 1988, she married Richard J. Graustein in Plymouth, Michigan. Shortly thereafter, they made their home in Manchester, where they shared 37 wonderful years together building a life rooted in love, loyalty, and family.

Carol worked for many years as the Office Manager of the family business, Stein Electric Company. Her strength, organization, and determination were evident in everything she did. A force to be reckoned with, Carol was fiercely protective of those she loved and never hesitated to offer firm guidance, wisdom, and support. Family always came first.

Carol lived a life. She loved traveling, riding her Harley, and snowmobiling. She was even convinced to try new experiences such as horseback riding, snow skiing, white-water rafting, and riding roller coasters. She also found great joy in decorating for Christmas and creating special memories during the holidays. Whether on the road or gathered at home, she cherished time spent with her family above all else.

Raised in the Catholic faith, Carol’s faith and her family were the foundation of her life. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, and proud Nonni, roles she carried with unwavering dedication and deep love.

Carol is survived by her husband, Richard Graustein; her daughters, Deanna Morris (Paul) of Whitmore Lake and Samantha Ruhlig (Kyle) of Manchester; and her beloved grandchildren, Brandon, Zack, Matthew, Cassandra, Madison, Allyson, and Ember. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother.

Carol will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

The family has chosen cremation, with a celebration of Carol's life to be held on June 6th at their family home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the St. Louis Center.

Arrangements are entrusted to Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.

Ted R. Carpenter

Ted Randall Carpenter, age 73, of Stockbridge, Michigan, passed away on December 12, 2025, at Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital.

Ted was born on the Patterson farm in Stockbridge, Michigan, the son of Willie and Virginia (Barker) Carpenter. He lived in Stockbridge his entire life and graduated from Stockbridge High School in 1970. He was also a life member of Jeruel Baptist Church.

On December 14, 1974, he married Dianna R. (Patrick), and together they made their home and raised their family in Stockbridge. Ted worked for Chrysler Proving Grounds in Chelsea, retiring in 2007 after 30 years of service.

Ted enjoyed spending time on his computer, where he combined his love of gospel music and playing the guitar by creating song printouts for church that included both lyrics and guitar chords. He also enjoyed golfing and bowling. He was a Spartan Fan through and through, an avid fan of baseball, and enjoyed watching the Detroit Tigers.

Surviving are his wife, Dianna; two daughters, Jennifer (Robert) Duncan of Gregory and Andrea (Chris) Barrett of Dexter; four grandchildren: Jacob, Liam, Avery, and Caleb; two great-grandchildren, Mason and Callan; his siblings, Vickey (Wally) Brown of Holt, and Jeff (Kim) Carpenter of Stockbridge; and a sister-in-law, Diane Carpenter of Stockbridge. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Nick Carpenter and David Carpenter.

Visitation will be held at Jeruel Baptist Church on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., and again on Wednesday 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Funeral Services will be held at Jeruel Baptist Church on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Josh Swieringa officiating. Burial will follow at Fitchburg Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Jeruel Baptist Church. Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge.