Mae June P. Rowe

Mae June Pauline Rowe, age 94, of Jackson, MI, passed away on January 28, 2024 at Henry Ford Jackson Hospital.

Mae June was born on May 31, 1929 in Ypsilanti, MI to Theodore and Pauline C. (Wilhelm) Eichstadt. Growing up on a farm on Martz Road in Ypsilanti, she loved horses. She enjoyed going to church and music of all kinds. She was a member of St. Jacob Lutheran Church in Grass Lake. She also enjoyed playing cards and belonged to a Euchre club. She spent time crocheting, tending to her flower garden, and was also a Tigers fan. She loved to cook and loved spending time with her family, taking pleasure in watching her grandchildren on the horses, and spending time with her dog, Rex. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

On May 7, 1949 she married Oramel Lee Rowe in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and they enjoyed nearly 71 years of marriage. He preceded her in death in 2020. Surviving are three children, Diane (Russell) McGauley, Carol (Tom) Caroen, and Theodore (Melinda) Rowe; six grandchildren, many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her five siblings: Harry (Laura) Eichstadt, Edward (Mable) Eichstadt, William (Mae) Eichstadt, Margaret (Myron) Antcliff, and Ruth Watts.

Funeral services will be held at St. Jacob Evangelical Lutheran Church in Grass Lake on Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Kurt Uhlenbrauck officiating. Burial will follow at St. Jacob Lutheran Church Cemetery in Grass Lake, MI. The family will receive friends at the church on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jacob Lutheran Church.

Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge.

Bruce James Chandler

Bruce James Chandler, age 66 of Munith, Michigan, passed away on January 27, 2024 at his home. He was born the son of Big Jim and Dora (Rodrick) Chandler on January 7, 1958 in Gardner, Maine.

On May 11, 2001, he married Martha Jane Kies, and she survives. Bruce was an avid supporter of the United States Constitution and the Second Amendment. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, and fishing. He was a firefighter and EMT for Henrietta Township for many years and enjoyed working on classic cars.

In addition to his wife, Martha, he is survived by his daughters, Barbara, Jill, Heather, Danielle, Robbin, and Samantha; 12 plus grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, big Jim and Dora Chandler, daughter, Marie Chandler; his brother, Walden, and his sister-in-law, Elain Chandler.

Per his wishes, cremation has taken place and a private service will take place at a later date. Condolences may be mailed to 901 N Main St. Chelsea, MI in care of the Chandler family.

Vickie B. Kern

Vickie Bea Kern, age 72, of Chelsea, MI, passed away on January 26, 2024 at her home in Lima Twp, MI.

Vickie was born on May 17, 1951 in Jackson, MI, the daughter of Vernie F. and Vernese (Holland) Sowards. Vickie grew up in Jackson, MI and moved to the Chelsea area in 1970 when she married Thomas D. Kern.

Tom and Vickie were married in Chelsea on November 7, 1970 and enjoyed 53 years of marriage. They raised their four children on the farm, where she learned the value of hard work. She was a 4-H Leader and a proud supporter of the Chelsea Fair. She was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother who put her family first. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, gardening, canning, and cooking, and she took pleasure in teaching her grandchildren these skills. Another of her hobbies was making and painting porcelain dolls.

Vickie is survived by her husband, Tom, their children, Kevin (Jill) Kern of Chelsea, Garrett (Jennifer) Kern of Grass Lake, Becky (Harold) Burchett, and Heather (Frank Kornexl) Kern of Chelsea; eleven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; two brothers, Michael (Debbie) Sowards of Florida, and Brad (Stephanie) Sowards of Virginia, and a sister, Jill Harkness of Grand Rapids. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Visitation will be held at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., as well as Wednesday, January 31, 2024 from 10-11 a.m.

Funeral Services will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Josh Kuck officiating.

Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Chelsea, MI.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Chelsea Community Fair.


William P. O'Connell

William Patrick O'Connell, age 67, of Chelsea, MI, passed away on January 24, 2024 at his home. Bill was born on May 24,1956 in Detroit, MI to William A. and Harriet (Murtagh) O'Connell.

Bill had lived in the Chelsea area since 1994, moving from Ann Arbor. He proudly served in the United States Air Force. He worked as a chef for many years, cooking for the Ann Arbor Inn, the Ann Arbor Country Club, and he opened Conor O’Neill’s in 1999. He enjoyed sports of all kinds, and he was an avid fan of the Detroit Lions, Tigers, and Red Wings. He also enjoyed golfing and spending time with his family.

On June 12, 1986, he married Kathy (Gust) in Ypsilanti, MI, and she survives. Also surviving are a son, Sean O'Connell of Chelsea, and his four siblings: Bobby O'Connell, Michael O'Connell, Corrine O'Connell, and Andrea (Craig) Kanthook. He was preceded in death by his parents, and three siblings: Peter O'Connell, Sally Willard, and Sandra Burns.

Visitation will be held on Monday, March 11, 2024, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church located at 20500 W Old US Hwy 12 Chelsea, Michigan 48118.

Memorial Service immediately following at 11:00 a.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family.

Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.

Marcella A. Suojanen

Marcella Agnes Suojanen, age 85, of the Upper Peninsula, MI, Pinckney, MI, and Stockbridge, MI, passed away on January 25, 2024 surrounded by her family at Chelsea Hospital in Chelsea, MI.

Marcella was born April 20, 1938, the daughter of George and Emma (Davis) Grandchamp in Portage Twp, MI in the Upper Peninsula, where she lived with 13 siblings for many years. She moved to Stockbridge to be closer to family, where she lived for approximately 15 years. Marcella enjoyed fishing, reunions, traveling, playing bingo, and going to the casino.

She married Harry Suojanen, and he survives. Also surviving are four children: Betty (Scott) Thompson of Unadilla Twp., Barbara (John) Litzner and Harry Jr. (Butch) Suojanen, all living in the Upper Peninsula, and William (Kimberly) Suojanen of Stockbridge, MI; nine grandchildren, many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, a sister, Rita Ricchi of Lapeer, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a grandson, Andrew Rogers III, and great-grandsons, Eddie Tulppo and Lincoln Rogers.

The family will have a memorial at a later date.

Anna M. Schwerin

Anna M. Schwerin, age 83, of Chelsea, MI, passed away on January 25, 2024, in Chelsea, MI. She was born on October 28, 1940, in Pontiac, MI, to the late George W. and Phyllis L. (Garner) Smeltz. Anna had lived in the Chelsea area since 1972, moving from Ypsilanti.

Anna married Jackie A. Schwerin on June 27, 1964, in Auburn Hills, MI, and together they celebrated nearly 60 years of marriage. Her life was filled with joy and creativity. Her hobbies included crocheting and knitting. She enjoyed baking and decorating cakes, and she found delight in crafting ceramics and curating a collection of gnomes.

Anna is survived by her husband, Jackie, and two sons, Jackie Jr. (Amy Jo) Schwerin of Grass Lake, and Jeffrey A. Schwerin of Ann Arbor; two grandchildren, and two sisters, Marilyn Belvens of Utica, and Carol Sanchez of Holland. She was preceded in death by her parents.

A graveside service will be held at Oak Grove East Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home.

Gregory R. Guenther

Gregory R. Guenther, of Grass Lake, MI, age 66, passed away on January 24, 2024 at his home in Grass Lake, MI. Greg was born on September 28, 1957 in Jackson, MI to Roy and Gwendolyn (Banks) Guenther.

Greg lived in the area for most of his life. He was a collector, and he loved to find little treasures anywhere he could, whether it was a garage sale or an antique shop. He would pick up things that he needed and of course those didn't need. Either way he always kept what he found. He enjoyed spending time outdoors and foraging for morel mushrooms. He also loved hanging out with his bird, Rodman.

He will dearly be missed by his daughters, Michele (Shawn) Proko of Chelsea, Meliesa (Mike) Burgess of Tecumseh, and Tara (Jeremy) Schroder of Chelsea; five grandchildren; a brother, Todd Guenther of Florida; and his ex-wife Catherine. He was preceded by his wife, Shari Guenther, and his parents.

A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, February 1, 2024, 11:00 a.m., at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea with Pastor Mary Barrett officiating. Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice.

William F. "Bill" Allen

William F. Allen, age 68, of Pinckney, MI, passed away on January 22, 2024 at WellBridge of Pinckney.

Bill was born on May 3, 1955 in Ann Arbor, MI to Robert and Helen (Aiken) Allen and grew up on the north side of Ann Arbor. He was an avid slalom skier who lived at Portage Lake for many years where he met his wife Deb. He enjoyed mountain biking, snow skiing, and snowmobiling with his wife and children, Allissa and Geoff. A talented mechanic who ran his own business, Dockside Marine Service, he married Debra J. Guidot in 2001.

He is survived by his wife, Deb, and children, Allissa (Matt) Simmons of Northville, Geoff (Stefanie) Rhodes of Laingsburg, Steven Allen of Detroit, Lisa Brunner of Chicago, as well as seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Per his wishes, he has been cremated and a celebration of his life will be held at a later date in the summer.  

Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.