Ishamel Handshoe

Ishamel Handshoe, age 87, of Munith, Michigan, passed away peacefully at his home in Henrietta Township on July 23, 2026.

Born on November 1, 1938, in Knott County, Kentucky, Ishamel was the son of Dennis and Mollie (Combs) Handshoe. At the age of 16, he moved to the Munith area, where he lived and worked his entire life.

A faithful member of Heeney Road Baptist Church, Ishamel served as a deacon for many years and was devoted to his church family. He worked as a foreman for many years helping Lacerne Dixon on his farm in Munith, one of the state's largest muck-soil operations growing onions and lettuce.

Ishamel was a terrific cook. He enjoyed gardening and spending time with family and friends camping. He was good with his hands and could fix just about anything.

On August 29, 1959, he married Earnestine (Patrick) in Bunker Hill Township, Michigan. Together they shared nearly 57 years of marriage before her passing in 2016.

Ishamel is survived by four children: Debi (Donald) Walz of Waterloo Twp., Timothy (Tessie) Handshoe of Munith, Ishina (Sean) Kane of Jackson, and Ishmael (Sonia) Handshoe of Munith; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three brothers: Darrel (Shirley) Handshoe of Kentucky, James (Delana) Handshoe of Munith, and Taulbee (Fran) Handshoe of Stockbridge; two sisters: Cindy (William) Bennington of Pennsylvania and Verna (Albert) Wireman of Onondaga; and his brother-in-law, Thomas Lowe of North Carolina.

In addition to his wife, Earnestine, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Philmon and Chester Handshoe; and a sister, Cleatha Foster.

Funeral services will be held at Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home in Stockbridge on Monday, July 27, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with Rev. Larry Anglemyer and Pastor Jim Snyder officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Henrietta Township. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Heeney Road Baptist Church.

Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge.

Keith A. Kubicki

Keith Allen Kubicki, age 59, of Chelsea, Michigan, passed away at his home on July 20, 2026.

Keith was born on June 2, 1967, in Dearborn, Michigan, to George and Lynn (Cartwright) Kubicki. On September 21, 1996, he married Kelly Marie (Mahony) in Detroit, MI. Together they shared nearly 30 years of marriage, and they raised their three children in Chelsea.

Keith served his country in the United States Army, serving fom 1988 to 2016 with deployments to Cuba and Kuwait.

Keith loved music (classic rock, blues, and jazz), music festivals with friends, loved doing anything outdoors like tent camping, any games and puzzles with family and friends, watching any local sports, movies (Marvel in order), and reading. A devoted member of St. Joseph Catholic Parish in Dexter, Keith served as Secretary of the Dexter Knights of Columbus Council 2959. Above all, his family was the center of his life.

Keith is survived by his wife, Kelly; their children, Kyle, Kristopher, and Kaitlin Kubicki; his father, George (Judi) Kubicki; his mother, Lynn Cartwright; his brother, Eric (Judy) Kubicki; his sisters, Natalie (Steve) Wagner, Stephanie (Nick) Gallo, and Kimberly (Robert) Kennicott; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Roger Moss; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Carol and Thomas Mahony; brother-in-law Kevin Mahony, and his aunt, Ruby Greene.

Visitation will be held at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home in Chelsea on Friday, July 24, 2026, from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m., with a Scripture and Chalice Service beginning at 7:00 p.m. The family will also receive friends on Saturday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Country Church in Dexter.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at St. Joseph Country Church, 6805 Mast Road, Dexter, with Fr. Brendan J. Walsh presiding. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Dexter.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Dexter, Michigan.

Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.

Nicholas Richard Kreskai

Nicholas Richard Kreskai, age 40, of Jackson, MI, passed away on July 21, 2026, in Jackson, Michigan. He was born on May 6, 1986, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the son of Richard and Brenda (Palmer) Kreskai.

Nick grew up in Stockbridge, Michigan and graduated from Stockbridge High School with the Class of 2004.

Nick was a hands on person who loved taking things apart to figure out how they worked and putting them back together. He had a passion for computers, especially building, repairing, and working on them. He also enjoyed spending time playing computer games. Nick was a quick thinker and highly proficient at anything he put his mind to.

Known for his laid-back personality and kind heart, Nick never met a stranger. He could strike up a conversation with anyone and was always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. Above all else, Nick loved being a father. His children were the center of his world, and he took great joy in making them happy and giving them the best he could.

Nick is survived by his children, Olivia and Colton Kreskai; his parents, Richard and Brenda Kreskai; his grandmother, Diane Kreskai; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family members, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Joseph Kreskai, and his maternal grandparents, Raymond and Suzanne (Tyler) Palmer.

In accordance with the family’s wishes, no services will be held. Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home.

William D. "Bill" Kotula

William D. “Bill” Kotula, age 69, of Chelsea, Michigan, passed away on July 17, 2026.

Bill was born on April 21, 1957, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to William and Margaret (Evans) Kotula. He later moved to Glendale, AZ where he graduated from high school.

Following graduation, Bill began his career as a driver for the Chrysler Proving Grounds in Arizona. In 1990, he relocated to Chelsea and continued his work at the Chrysler Proving Grounds there. Known by many as “Jazzbo,” he retired after his 43-year career with Chrysler.

Bill had a lifelong passion for automobiles. He looked forward to attending car shows each spring and summer and was an active member of the Great Lakes Classic AMC and the American Motors Association. His prized possession was his 1968 AMC AMX, though he also cherished his 1966 Ford Mustang and 1969 AMX.

From a young age, Bill enjoyed shooting sports and had a deep appreciation for nature and the outdoors. He created his own "Greater Phoenix Lounge Chair Cruising Association" and enjoyed spending time with friends and sharing stories. He also enjoyed playing video games.

Above all, Bill loved his family. He was a kind, caring, and generous man who was always willing to lend a helping hand. Bill is survived by his son, Brett (Darien Schneider) Kotula of Jackson, Michigan.

Visitation will be held on Monday, July 27, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home in Chelsea.

Memorial contributions may be made to Marshall Motors in Jackson, MI, or the J. Keller Foundation.

Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.

Betty L. Crockett

Betty L. Crockett, age 97, of Gregory, MI, passed away on July 20, 2026 in Gregory, MI. Betty was born on December 1, 1928 in Pinckney, MI to Bruce and Caroline (Wallace) VanBlaircum.

She was the last of nine siblings and had lived in the Gregory area all of her life. She enjoyed reading and enjoyed doing crafts, especially small window suncatchers. Betty worked for many years as an assembler for ACO Products in Pinckney. She married Richard T. Crockett on June 30, 1951, and he preceded her in death in 1984.

She is survived by two sons, Frank (Candy) Crockett of Stockbridge, and Clyde (Wendy) Crockett of Gregory; twelve grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, Richard, she was preceded in death by three children, Bobby, Davy, and Cookie; and eight siblings: Bugs, Duke, Anna, Jig, Bill, Bob, Reenie, and Bruce.

Visitation will be held at the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home in Stockbridge on Thursday, July 23, 2026 from 5-7 p.m., and on Friday, July 24, 2026 from 10-11 a.m. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Friday, July 24, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family.

Audrey A. Rickelmann

Audrey Ann Rickelmann, age 90, of Chelsea, MI, passed away on July 18, 2026.

Audrey was born on July 25, 1935, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to John and Ruth (Spetter). She lived her entire life in Washtenaw County and was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Chelsea.

On June 20, 1953, Audrey married Thomas A. Rickelmann, and together they shared 65 years of marriage. She enjoyed volunteering within the community, sharing her kindness by giving manicures, visiting one-on-one with fellow residents, serving in the Ice Cream Parlor, and helping in the library. Audrey also enjoyed reading, spending winter months in Florida, and had a lifelong love of animals, especially dogs, who were always part of her family. Following Tom's death in 2019, Audrey became a resident of the Chelsea Retirement Community. Above all, Audrey cherished her family. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Audrey is survived by her four children: Thomas (Deborah) Rickelmann of Clinton, Carol (Thomas) McDonnell of Dexter, Mark (Sandy) Rickelmann of Chelsea, and Joanne Tobias of Chelsea; six grandchildren: Matt (Jill), Sarah (Casey), Lindsay, Shelly (Jason), Tommy (Katie), and Brett (Maureen); and eight great-grandchildren: Avery, Emilie, Megyn, Caden, Kennedy, Brody, Jameson, and Bennett.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary Catholic Church in Chelsea on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with V. Rev. Dr. William J. Canon Turner officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass.

Memorial contributions may be made to Faith in Action, Chelsea.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff at Chelsea Retirement Community/Brio Living Services and Heartland Hospice for the special care they provided.

Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.

Nancy K. Dever

Nancy Kay Dever, age 78, of Chelsea, Michigan, passed away on July 17, 2026, at Henry Ford Providence Hospital in Novi, surrounded by family.

Nancy was born on May 28, 1948, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The daughter of Wilson and Mary Kathryn (Brummett) Loy, she was raised in Ann Arbor and lived in the area her entire life. She often talked about growing up on Virginia Ave while working in the restaurants her parents owned, namely Speedy Loy’s, Pizza Loy’s, and others.

On March 22, 1969, Nancy married Charles N. "Nick" Dever, in Ann Arbor, MI. Together they shared 57 years of marriage. They built a beautiful life which quickly grew to include two sons and later, four grandchildren.

A lifelong teacher, Nancy began her educational career as a child by playing “school” with neighborhood friends. She later formalized her calling when she earned her teaching degree from the University of Michigan. She then devoted over 30 years to her profession, most of it at Emerson School. She helped to found the middle school there and served as its coordinator. No one can deny the impact she had on her students’ lives. Even years after her retirement, she continued to receive countless messages, emails, cards, letters, wedding invitations, and even a book dedication from her past students. Nancy kept every letter, note, and card from her students over the years, stored right alongside the letters from her closest friends and family.

Nancy’s creativity knew no bounds. She never met a challenge she could not tackle, especially when it came to sewing projects for family and friends. Falling in love with the skill at a young age, Nancy spent countless hours at her machine creating something new for a loved one. In the 90s, she began a sewing pattern business called Nancy’s Cut Ups. In later years, she made custom designed bags for tracheostomy patients at the University of Michigan Hospital. She loved making wedding dresses for friends and family, as well as Halloween costumes, matching Christmas outfits, baby blankets, theatrical costumes, and much, much more. She passed this love of sewing down to her grandchildren, who each had a space and a machine in her giant sewing room.

Nancy loved being a mother, but she took being a grandmother to a whole new level. When she learned she was going to be a grandma, she sent her daughters-in-law a “baby gift of the week” for the duration of their pregnancies. No one could match the amount of time and love she showered her grandkids with. She put on a week-long “Grandma Camp” each year: a week filled with field trips, baking contests, sewing projects, and community service, all in matching t-shirts and hats that she custom-made each year. She once said, “My own children were great and I loved being a mom, but grandchildren have been a second helping of dessert!”

Nancy is survived by her husband, Nick of Chelsea; her two sons, Dennis (Susan) Dever of High Bridge, Kentucky, and Bryan (Stefanie) Dever of Dexter; her four grandchildren, Kaylin, Mya, Logan, and Lucy; her brother, Dennis (Dianne) Loy of Milan; and many extended family members and friends that meant the world to her.

Visitation will be held at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home in Chelsea on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Chelsea Depot on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., followed by a luncheon at 12:00 noon.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Chelsea Senior Center.

Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.

Tonya Rae Smith

Tonya Rae Smith, age 56, of Howell, MI, formerly of Chelsea, Michigan, passed away on July 12, 2026.

Tonya, better known as T, was born on August 14, 1969, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the daughter of Elmer and Terry Knox.

T found joy in doing crafts, beadwork, and making jewelry. She especially enjoyed diamond painting and spending time building Lego creations.

T is survived by her parents, Elmer and Terry Knox of Jackson; her daughters, Geneva (Chris Moritz) Smith of Grass Lake, Michigan, and Zealand (Logan) Cooley of Virginia; three grandchildren, Henry, Colleen, and Scarlett; and a sister, Karla Moody of Georgia. She was preceded in death by a brother, Thomas Knox.

Per her wishes, no services will be held.

Memorial contributions may be made to Faith in Action, Chelsea.

Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.

Daniel M. Dixon

Daniel Milton Dixon, age 85, of Gregory, Michigan, passed away on July 10, 2026, at Michigan Medicine Hospital in Ann Arbor.

Daniel was born on August 15, 1940, in Stockbridge, Michigan, the son of Vaughn and Catherine (Adams) Dixon. He made his home in the Gregory area for the past 39 years, moving from Howell, MI.

A dedicated and hardworking man, Daniel spent 40+ years working at Chelsea Milling Company. Always on the go, he would never slow down. He enjoyed working outside and cutting trees.

On October 14, 1991, Daniel married Valerie M. Hart, and together they shared more than 30 years of marriage.

In addition to his wife, Valerie, Daniel is survived by five children: Daniel Jr. (Kelly) Dixon of Gaylord, Kimberly (Mark) Carpenter of Napoleon, David Dixon of Jackson, Jeffrey (Shannon) Hart of Williamston, and Susan Wilson of Rochester Hills; ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Daniel was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Vaughn Dixon Jr.; and a sister, Margaret Hayes.

In accordance with his wishes, no services will be held. He will be laid to rest at Munith Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge.

Randolph L. "Randy" Weiner

Randolph L. "Randy" Weiner, age 73, of Ann Arbor, MI, passed away on July 11, 2026 at Henry Ford Allegiance Hospice Home in Jackson, MI.

Randy was born on April 13, 1953 in Ann Arbor, MI, the son of Raymond Sr. and Golda (Pepper) Weiner. He had lived in the area all of his life and graduated from Chelsea High School in 1972. Randy dedicated more than 30 years to the University of Michigan, where he worked as a custodian. He was a faithful member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Chelsea. He enjoyed watching the Detroit Tigers, Michigan football and basketball, the Lions and putting together jigsaw puzzles. His favorite thing to do was talking on the phone with family and friends.

He is survived by two brothers, Raymond II (Janet) Weiner of Chelsea, and Russell (Karen) Weiner of Florida; as well as several nieces and nephews especially Kevin who was like a brother to him. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two sisters, Barbara Wilber and Beverly Scully.

A private service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church 1515 S. Main Street Chelsea, MI 48118

Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.