Beulah M Rankin-Beissel
of Chelsea, Michigan.


Age 80, passed away Sunday March 27, 2005 at the Chelsea Community Hospital. She was born on February 24, 1925 in Harbor Springs, Michigan.She was a nurse at St. Joseph Hospital in Ann Arbor for 20 years retiring in 1984. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Chelsea for many years. Favorite pastimes were, making latch hook rugs, cooking (especially baking pies) jigsaw puzzles, and collecting trivets. Surviving are 4 children, John (Rhonda) Rankin of Luna Pier, Michigan, Henry (Ellen) Rankin of Alto, Carl Rankin of Chelsea, and Catherine (Walter Broll) Rankin of Bloomington, Ill. several nieces and nephews and cousins. She was raised by Amanda and Albert Schneider and they preceded her in death, also 1 sister, Doris Reynolds, and Beulah&qurso;s first and second husbands, Marshall A. Rankin, and Edward W. Beissel. Funeral mass will be Thursday March 31, 2005 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 14200 Old US 12, Chelsea with Father John F. Miles presiding. Burial will follow at Ridgeway cemetery, Ridgeway Township. Expressions of sympathy can be made to St. Louis School. The family will receive friends at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M.
Rickey R. Fletcher
Of Leslie, Mi

Age 50, passed away on March 27, 2005 in Clermont, FL. He was born March 7, 1955 in Flint, Michigan. He graduated from Leslie High School in 1973. Rickey is survived by his wife of 31 years, Deborah (Brown); 1 daughter Amber (Keith) Day of Covington, GA; 1 son Correy (Vanessa) Fletcher of Columbus, OH; 1 grandson, Brandon Keith Day. His father and mother, Denver and Marvis (Hill) Fletcher of Tavares, FL; brothers and sisters, Vicky Jenkins of Leesburg, FL; Mike (Kathy) Fletcher of Jensen Beach, FL; Kelly Chanley of Orlando, Fl; Bruce (Shirley) Fletcher of Apopka, Fl; Brother and sister in laws, Melvin and Joyce Back, Joe and Charlene Brown, Charles and Linda Brown, Dave and Alice Latter, James and Marge Brown, John and Judy Brown, Bill and Sharon Lewis, Bas and Deb Brown; many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins whom he loved very much. Funeral services will be held Friday, April 1, 2005 at 1 p.m. at the First Church of the Nazarene in Mason with Rev. James Brown officiating. Rickey will be laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery in Leslie. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Fletcher family. The family will receive friends at Caskey-Mitchell Funeral home on Thursday from 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.
James ’Dick’ L. Lafountain
Of Stockbridge

Age 74, passed away March 26, 2005 at Chelsea Hospital. He was born February 20, 1931 in Orangeville, Michigan, the son of Harry and Pearl Lafountain. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, and flowers, as well as feeding and watching birds. On December 11, 1970 he married Ruby F. Roark and she survives. He is also survived by his children, Pat (Ray) DeBruler of Stockbridge, Jackie Cavanaugh of Dansville, Steve Bradley of Pleasant Lake, Jimmie (Brenda) Bradley of Dansville, Eileen (Mike) McClinchey of Stockbridge, Robin (Scott) McCann of Stockbridge, and daughters Sharon, Sandy, Norma Jean and Pam; Three sisters, Betty Messeger of Jackson, Zona Green of Pleasant Lake, and Coral Swank of Jackson; 11 grandchildren and Seven great grandchildren. Besides his parents, he was also preceded in death by two brothers, Elbert Lafountain and Harry Lafountain, and three sisters, Mary Ann Lafountain, Pearl Mackeiwicz and Elizabeth Fizer. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, March 31, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. from Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home with Rev. Ed Roark officiating. Burial will follow at Fitchburg Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Michigan Chapter of the American Cancer Society. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. and Wednesday from 2-5 and 7-9 p.m.
David M. Sweet
Of Gregory

Age 63, passed away March 21, 2005 at home. He was born March 29, 1941 in Stockbridge, Michigan, the son of Robert and Cora (Marshall) Sweet. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping and working on small engines. On August 27, 1977 he married Brenda S. Anderson and she preceded him in death in May of 2004. He is survived by 3 sons, Carl (Amy) Baxter of Jackson, Chuck (Cheryl) Baxter of Gregory, and Daniel Sweet of Gregory; 3 grandchildren, Alice, Ian, and Ethan Baxter. Besides his parents, he was also preceded in death by 1 brother, Robert Dale Sweet, and a sister Maricha Sweet. Funeral Services will be held at 3pm on Friday, March 25, 2005 from Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home with Rev. Dr. Steven Gjerstad presiding. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Sweet family. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 3-5 and 7-9pm
Duane Innes Jr.
Of Pleasant Lake

Age 39 passed away March 20, 2005 at Foote Hospital. He was born July 5, 1965, the son of Duane Innes Sr and Gail Stafford. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his daughter. On September 10, 2003 he married Jill Coakley and she survives. He is also survived by his daughter, Tessa Innes; 3 step-children, Kyle, Devin and Kade Sauve; 1 sister, Robin (Jack) Wysocki of Canton, and his best friend, Dale Pidd. His grandmother, Ruby Brothers of Westland , mother-in-law Jean Coakley of Stockbridge Sister and brother –in law Greg (Corey) Pena. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday March 23, 2005 at 2:00 P.M. from Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home with Pastor Ken Douglas presiding. Burial will follow at Plainfield Cemetery, Unadilla Township. Expressions of sympathy may be made to an Educational Fund for Tessa. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 5-9 pm.
Sally Belle Lafferty
of Napoleon Twp, MI

Age 74, passed away March 19, 2005 at her home. She was born April 14, 1930 to George S. and Osie (Miller) Ousley in Floyd Co. Kentucky. She married Willard D. Lafferty in Angola, Indiana in 1951 and he survives. Sally enjoyed sewing, fishing for anything that would bite her hook, cooking and collecting her treasures. Besides her husband, she is survived by her four children; Floyd (Kathy) Lafferty of Tecumseh, David Lafferty of Napoleon, Timothy Lafferty of Napoleon, and Willard (Anna) Lafferty Jr. of Rocky Mountain, NC. Also surviving are her sisters; Virginia Baird, of OH, Shirley Johnson of Dansville, Barbra (Larry) Howard of Stockbridge, Deloris Ousley of Dansville and her brother Carl Ousley of Leslie. She is also survived by her three grandchildren; Jacob, Erin, and Willard III. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by Virgil Ousley, Willie Ousley, Susie McKee and Mary Ousley. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 23 at Mt. Olive Old Regular Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Munith. Visitation will be held Tuesday, from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Church. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Mt. Olive Old Regular Baptist Church.
Thelma Powell
Of Jackson
Formerly of Stockbridge

Age 78, passed away March 15, 2005 at Jackson County Medical Care Facility. She was born August 13, 1926 in Stockbridge, the daughter of James and Mabel (Coffman) Campbell. She worked for 12 years as a book keeper for Howlett Hardware. She enjoyed reading and sewing. On April 19, 1952 she married Robert Powell in Fitchburg, and he preceded her in death May of 1991. She is survived by 1 son, Robert Powell of Lake Odessa; 3 daughters, Linda Howard of Lansing, Rebecca Christensen of Marquette, Judith Marx of Ottawa, Canada, Roxanne Wright of Jackson; 2 sisters, Minnie Lathrop of Stockbridge, Mildred Owen of Stockbridge; 12 grandchildren, 5 great-great children. Besides her husband, she was also preceded in death by 3 brothers, Leroy Cox, James Campbell and Thomas Campbell; 1 sister Edna Streets. There will be a private burial service. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the American Diabetes Association. The family will receive friends at Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home Thursday from 6-9 pm.
Lillian Schryer Clark Phalen ’Nonnie’

Passed away on March 11, 2005, at the age of 96. She was preceded in death by Wilson Clark on March 9, 1965, and William Phalen. She is survived by 6 children, Phyllis O ’Neill (George) of Florida; Wilson E. Clark (Theresa) of Linden, Michigan; Patricia Dario (Kenneth) of Florida; Robert Clark (Esther) of Florida; Larry Clark (Judith, deceased) of Fowlerville, Michigan and Pamela Duke (Jesse) of North Carolina. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, 4 great, great grandchildren and one sister, Gertrude Rickard of Indiana. Visitation 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, March 15th at Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home in Stockbridge. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. with the Reverend Richard Schroeder officiating. Private interment will be at Oakland Hills Memorial Garden in Novi. The family wishes to thank the caring staff of West Hickory Haven Nursing Home in Milford for all of their care over the past 15 years.
Chris A. Benedict
Of Stockbridge, MI

Age 45, died Friday March 11, 2005 at the Helen New Berry Hospital.
He was born on February 16, 1959 in Detroit, Michigan, the son of the late Franuel E. and Elizabeth G. (Leggat) Benedict. Chris had lived in the area for the past 3 years coming from the Pinckney Area. Hunting and fishing and anything to do with the out of doors he loved. He worked for CRB a crane service company for 20 years acting as superintendent of Manufacturing in Howell. On June 22, 1996 he married Ann Marie Stahl in Fenton and she survives, also surviving are his two children, Amber (Jason Miller) Spencer, of Hartland, and Ronni E. Benedict age 9 at home. Also surviving are a brother, Craig (Patty) Benedict of Milford and a sister, Gaye (Daniel) Hatfield of Linden, several nieces and nephews and some great nieces and nephews on the way as well as, Aunts and Uncles and Cousins. Memorial services will be Tuesday March 15, 2005 at 4:00 p.m. from the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge with Rev. John Miller officiating. Expressions of sympathy can be made to, Chris’s 2 daughters educational fund. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday from 6-8 p.m.
Dawn H. Marll
Of Webberville, MI

Age 77, passed away Saturday March 5, 2005 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. She was born on November 20, 1927 in Fowlerville, Michigan the daughter of Burl and Helen (Oakley) Betterly. Dawn had lived in White Oak township all her life and was a member of Millville United Methodist church where she taught Sunday School, was a member of United Methodist Women’s and former Church Secretary as well. She attended Huntington College for her undergraduate studies and furthered her education receiving her masters in Business Education at Indiana University. She started her teaching career in a one room school house, later becoming a business education teacher from Byron School District retiring in 1988. She was a 4-H leader in archery, a life member of Delta Kappa Gamma, a member of MARSP, a member of Women’s Advance Club of Webberville, and former member of Marsh Pointe Board of Directors. She loved to watch her nieces and nephews play all sorts of sports and keep score. Favorite pastimes also were reading ,and traveling. Surviving are 1 brother Ronald (Gale) Betterly of Richfield, Ohio, her former husband, Vernon Marll of Dayton Washington, 2 nephews, James Betterly, and Steve (Joanne) Betterly and 1 niece, Teresa (Rusty) Bloom. Great nieces and nephews, Jessica, Jolene, Julie, Dean, Glen, Gordon, Lance, Madeline and Katie. She was preceded in death by 1 great-nephew, John Betterly. Funeral services will be Wednesday March 9, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. from the Millville United Methodist Church with Rev. Robert J. Freysinger officiating. Expressions of sympathy can be made to Millville United Methodist Church Sanctuary Building Fund. The family will receive friends at the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Special thanks to a dear friend Marilyn Henry for her loving care.
Alton L. Gieske
of Napoleon, Formerly
of Chelsea, Michigan.

Age 91, passed away March 3, 2005 at Foote Hospital in Jackson, Michigan. He was born on July 24, 1913 the son of Lambert and Esther (Sodt) Gieske. He graduated from Manchester High School in 1931. Al had worked for several companies over the years, including Clark Equipment in Jackson, Boose Products in Unadilla, Village Motors in Chelsea, and Pearson’s Tools. For 40 years he owned and operated Al ’s TV repair in Chelsea. On July 3, 1937 he married Geraldine M. Mast in Indiana and she survives, also surviving are, three children, Carol (Gene) Ledford of Chelsea, Robert (Dianne) Gieske of Onsted, and Sandie (Richard) Neff of Chelsea, one brother, Willard (Linda Stott) of Harrison, seven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by 2 sisters, Viola Widmayer, and Ruby Savage, and 1 brother, Earl Gieske. Funeral services will be Monday March 7, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. from the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea with Rev. Joy Barrett officiating. Burial will follow at Rowe’s Cemetery, Manchester. Expressions of sympathy can be made to the American Heart Association. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. also Monday Noon until the time of service.
Sandra E. Powers.
of Chelsea, MI


Age 55, she passed away Friday, February 25, 2005 in Scottsdale, AZ. She was born on December 28,1949 in Detroit, Michigan the daughter of Walter and Cecillia (Gurney) Bavol. She had lived in the area since 1990 coming from Stockbridge. Her entire life was centered around her family and grandchildren. Surviving are her father of St. Clair Shores, MI her two children Dustin (Sonya) Byrd of Jackson, and Shannon (James) Neate of Melbourne, Australia, Her husband of 13 years, Gary A. Basso and his children, Cathy (Hal) Andrews of Ann Arbor, Christine (John) Stewart of Leslie and James (Tara) Basso of Clinton. Also surviving are three brothers, Walter (Anita) Bavol, Bill Bavol, and Charles (Georgia) Bavol all of Florida. Ten grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother. Funeral services will be Thursday March 3, 2005 at 1:00 P.M. from the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea with Rev. Dr. William J. Turner presiding. Burial will take place at Safety Harbor Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy can be made to the American Cancer Society. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday from 5-9 P.M. and Thursday Noon till the time of service.
SAWYER, CHARLES H. Age 98. Charlie, as he was fondly known, died after a brief illness on February 25th, 2005. He was born in Andover, Massachusetts on October 20, 1906 to James Cowan Sawyer and Mary Pepperrell Frost Sawyer. He attended Phillips Academy, Andover and then Yale University where he received his AB in 1929. He then went on to Harvard University, intending to become a lawyer, taking law classes there but also enrolling in a museum class with legendary teacher and museum director Paul Sachs, which took Sawyer in a new direction. During that year he was invited to become the first curator of the Addison Gallery of American Art at Phillips Academy, Andover, beginning a life-long career as an art museum administrator and art historian. He was hired by the Worcester Museum of Art, Worcester, Massachusetts in 1940 and then took a leave during the war years to join the Office of Secret Service, working with the Roberts Commission to document works of art confiscated by the Nazis and see they were returned to their rightful homes. Sawyer went back to Yale in 1947 where he was granted an honorary MA and took on a challenging new position as Director of the Division of the Arts and Dean of the School of Architecture and Design. His duties there included overseeing the Colleges of Architecture, Art, and Drama, the Art Gallery, and the Department of History of Art. {During his tenure at Yale he oversaw the construction of a major addition to the Yale University Art Gallery working with legendary American architect Louis Kahn.} In 1957 he moved from New England to the Midwest, accepting a position as the second director of the University of Michigan Museum of Art, and a member of the University faculty, where he remained until his retirement in 1972. During his years at Michigan, he created a landmark program in museum practice to train museum administrators, one of the first of its kind in the United States; {graduates of that program have filled leadership positions in major museums throughout the country, including the Toledo Museum of Art and the Cincinnati Art Museum.} A section of the pending addition to the University of Michigan Museum of Art to house a Center for Museum Studies will be named in his honor.

Sawyer received several honorary degrees: LHD, Amherst College; DFA, University of New Hampshire; and LHD, Clark University. He was a member of art advisory commissions for Harvard, Amherst College, Smith College, and the University of Notre Dame, a trustee of the Corning Museum of Glass, and a member of the Smithsonian Art Commission. He remained a respected advisor to museum directors around the country throughout his life. He was a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a member of the Association of Art Museum Directors, the Century Association, and the American Antiquarian Society.} He was preceded in death by his wife Katharine Clay Sawyer (Kitty), whom he married in 1934, his devoted partner in receiving students and other guests into their home over many years. They had no children, but are remembered with love by his niece, Elizabeth (Lee) Sawyer Klaeson of Durham, New Hampshire, his nephew George F. (Geoff) Sawyer, Jr also of Durham, and Katharine’s three nieces, Phebe Leighton of Cambridge, Massachusetts, Susan Berard of Fripp Island, South Carolina, and Paula Bungen of San Rafael, California. He is also survived by his devoted caregiver, Dorothy Pickett of Jackson, MI, and Susan Else Wyman of Ann Arbor who knew him for almost 50 years and became his business associate and surrogate daughter.

A memorial service will follow at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Ann Arbor March 10 at 1:00 p.m., burial will take place in Pine Hill Cemetery, Dover, New Hampshire. A remembrance and celebration of Charlie’s professional life will also be held at the University of Michigan Museum of Art on a date in the spring. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the University of Michigan Museum of Art, c/o James Steward, Director, and designated, if desired, for the Charles H. Sawyer Center for Museum Studies.