Marjorie A. German

On September 20, 2026, Marjorie Ann German became Heaven’s newest angel at the age of 93.

She was born on March 28, 1933, an only child to Frieda M. (Loesel) and Walter J. Kern in Frankenmuth, Michigan. She attended Frankenmuth schools and graduated from Saginaw Arthur Hill High School. Marge was able to continue studying at the University of Michigan. It was there she was introduced to Robert Maxwell German on a blind date, and on January 29, 1955, they were married.

Bob worked for D&C stores, which took them to many places in Michigan. In 1967, they built a home in the North Lake area and that’s where they called home. Marge loved to relocate, as she made friends in each new town that they lived in and corresponded with those friends with her yearly handwritten Christmas cards. Marge was an active member of Our Savior Lutheran Church and worked, and later volunteered, at Chelsea District Library. She was also a long time volunteer at Chelsea Community Hospital, where she was recognized for volunteering 5,000 hours. Marge was also active in the PEO Chapter FD and made many friendships that followed her throughout her residence at Chelsea Retirement Community. She enjoyed walks ‘down to the lake’, reading, playing cards - especially Bridge and Kings on the Corner, spending time in Harbor Springs, crossword puzzles, cheering on the Wolverines, socializing - anything to keep busy! She was an excellent baker and her homemade Thanksgiving dinners and pecan pies will be sorely missed. Most of all, she was known as the most caring, selfless, and loving mom to her daughters.

She is survived by her daughters, Nancy (Dennis) Hall and Susan (Gregg) Cothern; her granddaughter, Jenna Hall, and her grandson, Maxwell (Marisa) Cothern; cousins, Jeanette (Kern) Elbers and family, Mary (Lehner) Plato and family, and Debra (Loesel) Stanton and family, as well as many other loved extended family members. She is preceded in death by her husband, Bob, and several beloved cousins.

The family would like to thank Arbor Hospice for their support and compassion not only to Marge, but to our family…to the staff at Dancey House and Towsley Village for their kindness and caring and to friends that continued to visit her during her residence in Chickadee Cottage- especially Terri E. and our extended family member, Bert, who helped guide us through some rough times, lent an ear when needed and provided comforting hugs.

We will miss you, Moj!

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks for donations to be made to Chelsea District Library or Our Savior Lutheran Church.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Revel Run, 555 S Dancer Rd, Chelsea, MI 48118, on Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 1-3 p.m.

Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.

David W. Kaemming

David W. Kaemming, age 84, of Chelsea, MI, formerly of Pleasant Lake, MI, passed away on September 28, 2026.

He was born on December 23, 1941, in Toledo, OH, the son of Marcus and Jayne (Heilner) Kaemming.

David grew up in Lambertville, MI. He served in the U.S. National Guard from 1964–1970 and was federally activated during the Detroit Riots. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Eastern Michigan University and later earned his Specialist Degree from the University of Toledo. David worked for many years as a high school art teacher at Whitmer High School in Toledo. He also taught collegiate art at the University of Toledo, where he was beloved as an educator.

On April 23, 1965, David married the love of his life, Shirley M. (Gunner), in Erie, MI. They shared 61 years of marriage and raised their family in Erie. He was known for being a kind and well respected member of the close knit community. In 1997, David and Shirley moved to Pleasant Lake. This second home became a very special place to them and helped define who they were—lake people. David loved swimming and every aspect of living on the water. Art was both a hobby and a shared passion for David and Shirley. His whimsical style was expressed through ceramics, painting, and papermaking. David’s artwork is displayed and enjoyed around the world. He also enjoyed watching collegiate sports, especially University of Michigan football.

Most of all, David was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and could often be found on the sidelines cheering them on. He recently celebrated the birth of his first great-grandchild, a very special addition to the family.

David will also be remembered for his kindness. He was a genuinely special and gentle person who cared deeply about others and made people feel welcome. He was social by nature and had a way of brightening a room with his sweet disposition, easy smile, and fun sense of humor. His warmth and kindness were evident in the way he treated people, and he was simply a joy to be around. He was always positive regardless of the situation.

In 2023, David and Shirley moved to Silver Maples Retirement Community, where they made many new friends. They remained active in the community and enjoyed participating in the many activities offered at Silver Maples. David often spoke of how blessed he was to have lived in three great communities.

David is survived by his wife, Shirley; their two sons, Mathew (Julie) of Richland, MI, and Marcus (Lisa) Kaemming of Pleasant Lake (formerly of Chelsea), MI; four grandchildren, Benjamin (Bridget), Leah (Max), Nicholas, and Renee; his great-granddaughter, Jane; his sister, Janus Burton of Temperance, MI; sister-in-law, Judy (Myron) Seger of Erie; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his infant twin brother, Daniel, and brothers-in-law, Gary Gunner and Larry Gunner.

Visitation will be from 4:00-6:00 p.m on Tuesday, October 6 at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea, MI. A Memorial Service will be held at 6:00 p.m. following the visitation.

Memorial contributions may be made to Silver Maples of Chelsea with “Employee Scholarship Fund” in the memo.

Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home.

Gloria Ann Donohue

Gloria Ann Donohue, of Gregory, passed away peacefully on September 27, 2026, at the age of 74. She was born on September 25, 1952, in Howell, MI, to Ivan and Nellie (Gardner) Keesler.

Gloria graduated from Brighton High School and worked in manufacturing for many years. She then ran a daycare taking care of neighborhood children.

Gloria married the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Donohue on November 16, 1974, beginning a loving marriage that spanned nearly 52 years.

Together, Gloria and Bob raised three children: Amy (Jim) Johnston of Brighton, MI, Robert (Heather) Donohue of Gregory, MI, and Eric (Emaly) Donohue of Chelsea, MI. Gloria loved her family deeply and was there to support, encourage, and when necessary push a few buttons. Her family was the center of her life, and she treasured the many memories they created together.

As her children grew and began families of their own, Gloria was blessed with six grandchildren: Adrian, Brendan, Ty, Jesse, Annalise, and Josie. She took great joy in watching her family grow and in being a loving wife, mother, and especially a grandmother.

Gloria will be remembered for her love of family, her kindness, and the special place she held in the hearts of everyone who knew her. She will be deeply missed by her husband, Bob; her children, Amy, Rob, and Eric; her children-in-law, Jim, Heather, and Emaly; her six grandchildren; and all of her extended family and friends.

Gloria leaves behind a lifetime of love and memories that will continue to live on through the family she cherished so dearly. Her favorite quote is, "The best thing you can be is a nice person."

Gloria was one of eight children to Ivan and Nellie, who preceded her in death, along with her sisters, Connie Gerard and Judy Keesler, and her brother, Jerry Keesler. She is survived by her husband, Bob; her children and grandchildren; sisters, Doris Ridenour and Sherry Hertzler; and brothers, Terry Keesler and Rick Keesler.

The family will receive friends and family at the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home on Friday, October 2, 2026 from 4-8 p.m., and Saturday, October 3, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 11:00 am. at Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge. A luncheon will be held after the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family, care of Robert Donohue.

Steven K. Opp

Steven K. Opp, age 62, of Stockbridge, MI, passed away on September 27, 2026, in Adrian, MI. He was born on May 22, 1964, in Garden City, MI, the son of Kenneth and Shirley (Kelm) Opp. Steve had lived in the Stockbridge area since 1975.

Steve was deeply involved in the farming community and dedicated much of his life to agriculture and raising and working with horses and cattle. He worked for many years as a farmhand and Agricultural Supervisor/Manager at the historic Firestone Farm in Greenfield Village. He also worked as a historic farmer at Sauder Village in Archbold, Ohio, where he was known as “Farmer Steve.” Through his work, Steve made many lasting connections with both his coworkers and the guests he met along the way. Steve also could be found working with horses at many community events, including local parades and events at the Waterloo Farm Museum. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and loved John Deere tractors.

In 2014, Steve married Susan Renee (Fowler), and she preceded him in death in 2021.

Surviving are three children, Nicole (Chris) Nelson of Dundee, Dallas (Andrew) Tweedy of Stockbridge, and Michelle (Francisco) Romero of Fitchburg; seven grandchildren; his mother, Shirley Opp of Stockbridge; his sister, Linda (Mitch) Minger of Stockbridge; and his loving companion, April M. Mann of Stockbridge. In addition to his wife, Susan, Steve was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Opp.

Visitation will be held at Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sauder Village or Hospice of Lenawee.

Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home.

Ellen Taylor Briggs

Ellen Taylor Briggs, of Okemos, Michigan, formerly of Grawn (Duck Lake), MI and Cincinnati, OH, passed away September 26, 2026. She was born March 5, 1946, in Louisville, KY, the daughter of Dr. Charles Leo Bloch and Margaret Ellen Sawyer.

Ellen graduated from the Louisville Collegiate School before earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin. There she met Daniel William Briggs and married June 14, 1969. Ellen earned her master’s degree in social work from Northern Kentucky University and practiced as a clinical social worker for several years. She was a passionate supporter of mental health, as well as the underserved. An avid watercolorist and art lover, she also enjoyed traveling, reading, gardening, playing mahjong, and was active in her church.

Ellen is survived by her husband; daughters, Laura (Edward) Brown of Okemos, Sarah Briggs of Okemos; sister, Margaret Wardall Brown of Louisville, KY; brother, Jed (Robin) Bloch of Peachtree City, GA; nephew, Charles (Stephanie) Hardy of Louisville, KY; niece, Hendy Bloch of Columbus, OH; two grandchildren, Amanda Brown (Ben Miller) of Cleveland, OH, and Ian Brown of East Lansing, MI. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Barbara Bloch.

A private burial will be held in Chelsea, MI.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., at The Presbyterian Church of Okemos.

Donations may be made to the church.

Arrangements made by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.

Kathryn A. Bradbury

Kathryn Almeda Bradbury, of Ann Arbor, MI, formerly of Dexter, MI, age 93, passed away Friday, September 25, 2026, only three days shy of her 94th birthday.

She was born on September 28, 1932, in Pinckney, MI, the daughter of Lambert J. and Bonnie (Schoenhals) Henry.

Kathryn graduated from Pinckney High School in 1950 and was a member of the Huron River Methodist Church. She taught and worked with children most of her life, teaching pre-school at Chelsea Co-Op Nursery and then providing day care in her home for many young children. Once she retired from the Nursery School and day-care, she devoted her time to her passion of sewing. Working at Hancock Fabrics for several years while sewing beautiful wedding, prom, and bridesmaid dresses. She was a 4-H leader teaching several children and youth to sew.

She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star becoming the Worthy Matron at the Dexter Chapter No. 311. She was also a member of Merry Methodist, Farm Bureau, Washtenaw County Women’s Extension, and the Dexter Senior Center where she volunteered three days a week until she was 91 years old.

She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and baking cookies, especially Lebkuchen, a favorite of her children and grandchildren.

On September 14, 1951, she married Keith H. Bradbury in Pinckney, and he preceded her in death. She is survived by her children: Kevin (Judy) Bradbury of Ypsilanti, Terrilyn Cook of Roscommon, and Karen (Steve) Dolislager of Kalamazoo; seven grandchildren: Jeremy Bradbury, Dan Grosshans, Heather (Brandon) Kinzer, Becka (Tyler) Sommers, Courtney (Andy) Michaluk, Alex Dolislager, and Nick Dolislager; 13 great-grandchildren; brothers: Lambert, Bruce, and Gary (Helen) Henry; sister-in-law, Betty Murphy; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lambert J. and Bonnie (Schoenhals) Henry; two brothers, Jerry and Chuck; four brothers-in-law, three sisters-in-law, four nephews, and her loving companion, Leon Gauss.

Visitation will be held at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea, on Monday, October 5, 2026, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.; and at the Huron River Methodist Church on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 from 1:00-2:00 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held at the Huron River Methodist Church on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev. Matt Hook officiating. The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed HERE.

Interment will take place at a later date at Pinckney Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Huron River Methodist Church, the Dexter Senior Center, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Shelley Ann Gottschalk

Shelley Ann Gottschalk, age 60, of Stockbridge, passed away on September 23, 2026. She was born on October 25, 1965, in Stockbridge, Michigan, to Lee and Betty (Boring) Clark.

Shelley was born and raised in Stockbridge and graduated from Stockbridge High School in 1984. During high school, she met the love of her life, Steve, at the Capital Area Career Center. The two were married on August 26, 1989 and shared 37 years of marriage together. Soon after their marriage, Shelley began her career with Delta Dental, where she worked for the next 36 years as a customer service representative.

Shelley will be remembered for her fun-loving spirit, her warm smile, her infectious laughter, her generous heart, and the love she had for those around her.

Most importantly, Shelley cherished her family, her two dogs, and cat. She was a devoted wife, mother and daughter. Her greatest joy was the time she spent with the people she loved, and she leaves behind many wonderful memories that will be treasured for years to come.

Shelley is survived by her husband, Steve Gottschalk; her children, Grant Gottschalk of Williamston, Garrett (Haylie) Gottschalk of Stockbridge, and Jenna (Dylan) of Dansville; and her soon-to-arrive grandchild, whom she was eagerly looking forward to welcoming into the family. She is also survived by her mother, Betty Clark of Stockbridge.

She was preceded in death by her father, Lee Clark, and her brother, Steve Clark.

A service celebrating Shelley’s life will be held at a later date.

Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge.

Wisemond "Blue" Salyer

Wisemond “Blue” Salyer, age 93, of Stockbridge, passed away peacefully on September 22, 2026, in Jackson, Michigan. He was born on June 10, 1933, in Sublett, Kentucky, to Lee and Amanda (Minix) Salyer.

Blue grew up in the hills of Kentucky before moving to Michigan in 1951. Blue loved listening and playing bluegrass music. He liked to spend time playing cards with family and friends. He was a fierce Spades player, and you had better follow the rules closely otherwise, you might not get invited to play with him again! He especially enjoyed collecting pocket knives and was always happy to show off his collection whenever he had the chance. Blue had a love for gardening and enjoyed growing his own food, taking pride in having things from his garden to enjoy throughout the year.

He was also a wonderful storyteller. He could always tell you a good story and never left out a single detail. If you had the time to listen, Blue had plenty to say. One of the things Blue enjoyed most for many years was running his dogs. Whether they were his coon dogs or rabbit dogs, Blue always believed he had the best dogs around. His dogs were a big part of his life and brought him many years of enjoyment.

Blue will be missed by his children, Ruth (Tim) Clafton of Howell, Lee (Pattie) Salyer, Dottie Salyer of Stockbridge, Kim (Randy) Hatta of St. Johns, Duane Salyer (Andrea) of Willis, and Betsy Salyer (Dennis) of Stockbridge; the mother of his children, Dorothy (Baum) Salyer; grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews who will cherish their memories of him.

Blue was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Amanda Salyer; his wife, Sylvia (Allen) Salyer; his daughter, Lynda (Salyer) Lovely; and his grandchildren, Billy Wojdyla, Amanda Lynn and Mary Ann Salyer; and his siblings, Earnestine, Edna, Audrey, Myrtle, Bernice, Patchell, and Lillian. He was the last surviving member of his family of eight children.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Jeruel Baptist Church, 11400 Plum Orchard Rd, Munith, on Saturday, October 24, 2026, with Visitation from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m., and a Memorial Service beginning at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will immediately follow the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Stockbridge Outreach.

Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home.

Alan J. "Al" Osemlak

Alan J. “Al” Osemlak, age 75, passed away peacefully on September 20, 2026, at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan.

Al was born on August 9, 1951, in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Alex and Janice (Lane) Osemlak. He was born and raised in Dearborn Heights and graduated from Fordson High School in 1970. It was during high school that Al met the love of his life, Susan “Sue” Romans. The two were married on September 28, 1974, at Zion Lutheran Church in Detroit and shared nearly 52 years of marriage together.

Following high school, Al began his career as a plumber and eventually established his own business, Allison Plumbing Co., serving the Dearborn Heights area. As a master plumber, Al became well known and respected throughout the community. He truly enjoyed his customers and the friendships he formed with them over the years. Even after moving from the area, Al often returned to visit and catch up with the many people he had come to know and care about through his work.

Al and Sue enjoyed traveling together, taking cruises and making their annual trips to Escanaba, Michigan. In the late 2000s, they moved to the Munith area, where they made their home and became active members of the community. Al and Sue attended Munith United Methodist Church, where they formed many meaningful friendships.

Al will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Sue Osemlak of Munith; his siblings, Diane Carew of Dearborn Heights and Doug (Michele) Osemlak of Newaygo; and many loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alex and Janice Osemlak, and his twin brothers, Joseph and Jonathon Osemlak.

A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Munith United Methodist Church.

Norman L. Colbry

Norman Lloyd Colbry, age 81, of North Lake, passed away peacefully at home on August 23, 2026. He was born on October 17, 1944, in Alma, Michigan, the son of Norman and Ruth (Lindsley) Colbry. He was raised in Breckenridge, Michigan, with his siblings Ann, Jeanine, and Joel, and graduated from Breckenridge High School. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Adrian College, where he met Alberta McKinney; they were married on August 20, 1966.

Norm earned a Master’s degree in Chemistry from Ohio University, and co-authored dozens of papers and patents documenting his passion for using science in service to others. As an expert in high-pressure chemistry, he helped develop chemical compounds and processes leading to new medicines and treatments that improve the lives of tens of millions of patients every year. He served on the board of the Organic Reactions Catalysis Society and received a Technical Award in Organic Chemistry from the American Chemical Society. The results of his decades in the lab continue to impact future generations, with his papers cited hundreds of times since his retirement from Pfizer in 2006.

His life of service carried far beyond his professional career, and Norm was deeply involved in his community through the Chelsea First United Methodist Church, Meals on Wheels, the Jaycees, and the Lions Club. His years of service and leadership, including numerous officer roles, were recognized with awards including the Regional Lion of the Year, the Lions Club International Melvin Jones Fellowship, and the Jaycees JCI Senatorship. Through Habitat for Humanity and Faith in Action, Norm helped build and repair homes and address practical needs to improve the lives of those around him. A caring friend, Norm helped maintain the Park Lawn Beach Association grounds for his neighbors and traveled thousands of miles on his bicycle with friends.

Norm and Alberta raised two children, Tricia (Michael) Taylor of Grass Lake, MI, and Dirk (Katy) Colbry of Okemos, MI, and were blessed with six grandchildren: Alonzo and Zachary Taylor, and Catt, Grace, Jack and Kenneth Colbry. They were “Nana and Papa” to many more family and friends. Norm and Alberta created a welcoming home on North Lake and celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary with one last boat tour of the lake together. Norm spent his final days enjoying his lake view, watching his grandkids splash in the water, and visiting with many loved ones. In addition to his spouse, children, and grandchildren, Norm is survived by his sisters-in-law, Diane Colbry and Nellie (Claude) Tanner, and generations of nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea on Thursday, September 24, 2026 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., and at the Chelsea First United Methodist Church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Chelsea First United Methodist Church on Friday, September 25, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Joy Barrett officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to Chelsea First United Methodist Church or Arbor Hospice.

Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.