Susan M. Starkey
Of Chelsea

Age 60, passed away at her home in Chelsea, surrounded by her loving family. Sue was born September 10, 1947 the daughter of Robert and Marilyn (Schlegel) Kansorka. Born and raised in Toledo, Sue graduated from Toledo Waite in 1965. She attended Bowling Green State University, receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Ed. in 1970. On August 24, 1968 she married Stanley R. Starkey. Throughout their marriage she was an elementary teacher in several states including Ohio, Florida, and Chelsea. Sue and Stan moved their family to Chelsea in 1977, and she became an active leader in the Chelsea Community. She had a way of reaching out to people with enthusiasm and passion. If there was a committee, Sue was on it. She was a member and former Executive Director of the Chelsea Chamber of Commerce, a Board Member of the St. Louis Schl, a member of the Chelsea Hospital Auxiliary in which she participated in several of their fundraising Gala Events, as well a Board Member of the Chelsea Ed. Foundation. Most importantly, and the center of her life, were her children and grandchildren. She loved watching her kids and grandkids at sporting events, and was sure to be on the sidelines rain or shine. Sue was a true inspiration to those who knew her during her nearly four year battle with pancreatic cancer. She faced her illness with unparalleled dignity, grace and courage. She will be missed but never forgotten by those whose lives she impacted so dramatically. Sue is survived by her husband, Stan, of 39 years, her two sons Todd (Beth) Starkey of Chelsea, and Chad (Mara) Starkey of California; six grandchildren: Tanner, Cameron, Quinn, Jack, Sarah, and Will; her mother-in-law Maryellen Starkey of Northwood, OH ; as well as two brothers, Robert Kansorka of Oregon, Ohio and Dennis (fiance Karen) Kansorka of Woodville, Ohio; She was preceded in death by her parents, one grandson Drew Starkey, and her father-in-law Stanley E. Starkey. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, December 29, 2007, 1:00 p.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church with, Rev. David L. Lane, Rev. Dr. William J. Turner, and Rev. Fr. Joseph Renaldo co-officiating. Visitation will be at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home on Thurs. from 5-8 p.m., and Friday from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Memorial Contributions may be made to the St. Louis Center Dress the Children Fund, or the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

Thomas Resor
of Pleasant Lake, MI

Age 68 passed away at Foote Hospital on December 23, 2007. He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Wanda eight children; Thomas Jr., Timothy, Lindsey (Pam), John (Cindy), Matthew (Alison), Durbin Wright ( Jamie), Debbie Thompkins and Pennie Atkins (Doug). Also surviving are eight grandchildren Alexandria, Victoria, Brooke, Tyler, Nicholas, J.T., Braeden, and Zander, as well as two sisters Karla Smith and Jorji Nicholas. Thomas served proudly in the United States Army, he enjoyed, taking his wife to the casino, and loved the outdoors hunting with his special uncle Franklin Sayre. He was a very giving and gentle hearted man who dearly loved his family. Thomas will be sadly missed by all who were blessed to know him. Funeral services will be Thursday, December 27, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. at the Caskey-Mitchell funeral home with Rev. Michael Marshall officiating. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family and they will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday form 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.

Fred J. Eassa
Of Stuart, Florida

Age 66, passed away at his home on December 18, 2007. He was born June 29, 1941 in Haifa, Palestine the son of Joseph A. and Mary (Matta) Eassa. He came to the United States in 1951 with his mother and his brother, Habie J. (Bill) Eassa, eventually settling in Pittsburgh, PA. Fred graduated from Mt. L.H.S. in 1959, where he held the Pennsylvania High School state pole vault record for three years. He served for six years in the U.S. Army as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division. He then returned to Pittsburgh and attended the University of Pittsburgh for two years. He moved to Royal Oak, Michigan in the mid 70’s where he owned an electrical supply company, Peninsular Wire and Cable Co. In the late 70’s he moved to Las Vegas, then Roswell, New Mexico where he, along with his brother, developed an ore refinery. Following the death of his brother, Fred became a commodities broker, working on numerous domestic and international endeavors. At the time of his death, Fred was a resident of Stuart, FL. Fred enjoyed business, sports, and boating. He loved his family and always enjoyed visiting his brother, Bill, and his family in Chelsea. He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph, in Palestine, his mother, Mary, and his beloved brother, Bill. He is survived by one daughter, Kristin, a niece, Beth Eassa, nephews Joseph and Philip (Tricia) Eassa, and great-nephew, Samuel Eassa, and great-niece, Molly Eassa. The family will receive friends at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home Sunday from 5-8 p.m. The Trisagion will be performed at 5:00 p.m. Interment will be Monday, December 24, 2007, 10:00 a.m., at Oak Grove East Cemetery, Chelsea. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Fr. Germano Pegoraro, S.C.
Of Como, Italy

formerly of Chelsea and Grass Lake, MI

Age 84, Fr. Pegoraro died of heart failure in Como, Italy on December 12, 2007 at the Divine Providence House. He was born in Italy on October 30, 1923, and was ordained into the priesthood as a member of the Servants of Charity Order on June 7, 1952. Fr. Germano lived a full life in service to the disabled and those who were suffering or dying, as a member of Christ’s priesthood here on earth. He began his career at the Parish of St. Joseph at Trionfale in Rome, Italy, headquarters of the Pious Union of St. Joseph; and from there was transferred to the Minor Seminary at Alberobello near Bari. In the fall of 1959, he accepted an assignment in the United States, and was sent to the Don Guanella School in Springfield, PA. Six months later in the spring of 1960, he came to Chelsea, MI and helped to develop the original program at St. Louis School for Boys. Fr. Germano was the Director of St. Louis School from 1974-77, and returned to Springfield, Pa. in 1977 to become the Novice Master and Superior of the Seminary at Don Guanella Formation House. From 1980-85, he was Vocations Director, and in 1986 he returned to St. Louis Center in Chelsea to become the Superior of the local religious community until 1988. During this time, he opened a branch of the Pious Union of St. Joseph, and began the publication known as ’Now and the Hour’. In 1988 he returned to Pennsylvania as Director of the Pious Union and moved the office to Springfield. Then in 1994 he returned to Michigan and moved the office of the Pious Union to a new location in Grass Lake. Fr. Germano’s story is retold in ’Now and the Hour’ when, ’ On January 7, 1994, he packed all he could fit into a truck and left for Grass Lake, MI with novice, Dennis Weber…All was ice and cold for the duration of the 600 mile trip, as they proceeded across Pennsylvania and Ohio into Michigan. The visibility was horrible, and they prayed to St. Joseph all the way there…Three days later they reached Grass Lake, and Fr. Germano got to work re-establishing the Pious Union’ . The groundbreaking of the Shrine of St. Joseph took place on November 5, 1995, and a beautiful new chapel and grounds were created from an abandoned horse farm. Major health problems forced Fr. Germano to return to Italy in January 2005, when he left for Como and retirement. He is remembered by his confreres and his friends for his captivating personality, and his love of nature, art, and science. He was laid to rest in the Servants of Charity chapel cemetery in Como, Italy on December 15, 2007 by Provincial Superior Fr. Remigio Oprandi and fellow members of the community. Expressions of sympathy and donations may be sent to the ’Servants of Charity’ at 16195 Old US-12, Chelsea, MI 48118. A Mass in Fr. Germano’s memory will be said at the Pious Union of St. Joseph in Grass Lake on January 1, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. Local Arrangements are by the Staffan-Mitchell funeral home, Chelsea, MI

Sandra Jean Schouwenaar
of Dexter, MI

Age 66 passed away at home on December 9, 2007. She was born the daughter of Avery and Katherine (Bennett) Collins on December 1, 1941 in Ann Arbor, MI. On April 8, 1968 she married Larry A. Schouwenaar and he survives. Sandra enjoyed fishing with her grandkids on the pond behind the house. She enjoyed the outdoors growing flowers in her garden, camping at Ludington State Park. She loved going to car shows especially Corvette shows. Most of all she was a great wife, mother and grand mother that loved her family. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children Mike Wilson of Dexter, Scott (Susan) Schouwenaar of Dexter; grandchildren Gavin and Griffin; her siblings Brenda Mullins of Clinton, Dan (Sandra) Collins of Pinckney, Jamie (Mike) Slagle of Chelsea. Sandra was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Terry Wolfe. Funeral services will be Thursday at the Staffan-Mitchell funeral home at 11:00 a.m. with Rev Kathy Schell officiating. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Huron Valley Humane Society. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.

Clifford E. Howlett
Of Gregory, Mi.

Age 92, passed away Sunday December 9, 2007 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Superior Township. He was born on June 30, 1915 in Gregory, Michigan the son of T. Henry and Christine (Denton) Howlett. Clifford was a member of the Gregory Community Church for 81 years. He managed Van Bovan’s Men’s store in Ann Arbor for 40 years. He graduated from Stockbridge High school in 1935 as salutatorian. A veteran serving in the United States Army during World War II and received the Bronze star for bravery. He was an avid Michigan State fan and enjoyed his gardening and his roses. On March 20, 1942 he married Eva Gertrude Rolston in Mason, Michigan and she survives. Also surviving are Three sons, Rick (Molly) Howlett of Stockbridge, Ed (Sandy) Howlett of Stockbridge, and Doug Howlett of Gregory, one daughter Diana (Jim) Crom of State College, Penn. One brother Richard (Mayrene) Howlett of Stockbridge. Eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Tom H. Howlett, Dan Howlett, three sisters, Daisy Dancer, Blanche Allen, and Charlotte Knight. Funeral services will be Thursday December 13, 2007 at 11:00 A.M. from the Gregory Baptist Church with Heidi Shanes Demott officiating. Burial will take place at Oaklawn Cemetery, Stockbridge. Expressions of sympathy can be made to the Gregory Community Church. The family will receive friends at he Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M.

Altenburg, Elliott
of Chelsea, MI
formerly of Farmington Hills, MI

Age 85, passed away December 6, 2007 at Arbor Hospice. Beloved husband of Helen for 62 years and she survives him. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II and was employed with the H.F.Campbell Co. as the Director of Purchasing. He was a long time member of Antioch Lutheran Church in Farmington Hills and Zion Lutheran Church in Chelsea. He is also survived by his children, Janice (Fred) Ranger and Gail (Nicholas Roumel) Altenburg; grandchildren Fiona (William) Greenland, Katharine (Ryan) Roberts and Olivia Roumel; and great-grandchildren Alasdair and Abigail Greenland and Jack and Christina Roberts. Funeral services will be Monday at Zion Lutheran Church with Pastor Doris Sparks officiating. Donations may be made to the Michigan Parkinson Foundation, Zion Lutheran Church of Chelsea, or the Arbor Hospice Foundation. The family will receive friends at the Staffan-Mitchell funeral home on Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. and on Monday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of service.

Dr. Donald R. Harris
of Petoskey,MI
formerly of Flint


Passed away on Thursday, November 29, 2007 at the University of Michigan Hospitals with his family at his side. Dr. Harris was born December 10, 1929 in Detroit, Michigan to the late Dr. Harold and Clarissa (Reynolds) Harris. He married Marilyn E. Trautz on June 12, 1954 and served in the U.S. Air Force for two years during his residency at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, Michigan. He was a member of the Genesee County Medical Society, Michigan State Medical Society, American Medical Association and the American College of Physicians. He retired in 1995 after having practiced internal medicine for 34 years at Hurley Medical Center and McLaren Hospital. Dr. Harris was an environmentalist, fisherman and avid sports enthusiast. In addition to his wife, Don is survived by his daughter, Dawn A. (Robert P. Handler) Harris of Evanston, IL, and two sons, David B. (Kimberly A.) Harris of Portage, MI and Daren (Lisa A.) Harris of Columbus, OH; also four grandchildren, Amy Joy Harris Handler, Drew Ellis Harris Handler, Melanie Kristina Harris, and Lindsay E. Harris; also one brother, Gordon Harris, of Scottsdale, AZ. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law Joseph C. Nelson, husband of Maurine Nelson of Chelsea and sister-in-law Roberta Cywin and husband Larry of Flushing. Memorial Services will be held in Petoskey and in the spring in Flint. Memorial contributions may be made to the Acute Liver Failure Research Fund at the University of Michigan Hospitals, Attention: Dr. Robert Fontana, 3912 Taubman Center, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109. Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.