Clarence William Wood
Of Chelsea, MI

Age 85, died at the Chelsea Retirement Community on February 26, 2008 as a result of a stroke suffered on February 15th. Clarence, fondly known as ’Mac’was the beloved husband of Patricia J. Robbins and the late Nancy J. Fleming. He was born on January 16, 1923 in Livonia, MI the second son of Charles C. Wood and Mary Agnes McNeil. In 1926, his family relocated to a farm on Old US 12 in Chelsea, where his grandfather ran Pike’s Peak Gas Station. Mac graduated from Chelsea High School in 1940. He subsequently served his country during World War II as a member of the 95th Infantry stationed in France. He returned stateside and briefly studied at Louisiana State University before returning to Chelsea. Mac married Nancy Fleming on leave in 1943, and they parented 10 children. He worked for 44 years in engineering at Federal Screw Works in Chelsea. He was also a local real estate broker and electrician. He was a former Chelsea Council Member, member of the Glazier Lake Road Association and an active member of St. Mary Church. On November 18, 1979, his first wife Nancy passed away after 35 years of marriage. On January 3, 1987 he married Patricia J. (McGauran) Robbins, and she survives. Together they formed a wonderful pair and became world travelers visiting many places including Rome and their beloved Ireland, which they traveled to every other year. They journeyed to all 50 states and especially enjoyed Colorado, Montana, Utah, Alaska, and Hawaii. Also surviving are his children: Janice Perry of Vashon, WA; Dave Wood (Brian Mulhern) of Minneapolis, MN; Jack (Jean) Wood of South Lyon, MI; Mary (Bruce) Veltema of East Lansing, MI; Paul Wood (Phyllis Holmes) of Plymouth, MI; Mike (Lyn) Wood of Hamburg, MI; Jane Wood of Chelsea; and his daughter-in-law Patti Wood of Chelsea. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Nancy and Kelly Veltema, Robert, Katherine, Maureen, Alex, Sarah, and Cara Wood, Mari and Maleena Garry, and Beth Fries; two great-grandchildren; also his sister-in-law Ann Wood, many beloved nieces and nephews, and special relatives and friends from Ireland: Margaret Mary, Nan, and Helen; also Marge (Phil) Dack of Mason, and Jennie (Bob) Draper of Jackson. In addition to his first wife, Clarence was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Wallace, and three infant children: Nancy, Thomas and Joseph. Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Dr. William J. Turner and Fr. Joseph Rinaldo concelebrating. The family will receive friends at the STAFFAN-MITCHELL FUNERAL HOME, Chelsea, on Thursday from 6-8 p.m., also Friday from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. with Vigil Service at 7:30 p.m. Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church or St. Louis School.

Craig M. Jorgeson
Of Dexter Township, MI


Age 65, died Monday February 25, 2008 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Superior Township. He was born on December 20, 1942 in Akron, Ohio the son of Charles and Arleen (Marshall) Jorgeson. Craig had lived in the area since 1975 moving from Ann Arbor. He enjoyed working on his property and riding on all of his tractors. He received his Bachelors degree from the University of Michigan. He then furthered his education with a Masters from Georgia Tech. Craig worked for the University of Michigan for over 25 years, retiring in 1997 as Benefits Director. On September 21, 1991 he married Norel C. Tullier, and she survives. Also surviving are one brother Brent (Laura) Jorgeson of Dallas, his step-mother Sylvia (Donald) Fehr of Georgia, one nephew, Michael, and one niece, Leigh; two aunts, Jean Maltz, of New York, and Althea Kendall, of Wisconsin, and his first wife, Sharon Stein, of Ann Arbor. He was preceded in death by his parents. A gathering of Craig’s friends will be Saturday, March 1, 2008 at 2:30 P.M. at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea. Visitation will be Friday from 6-8 P.M. also Saturday from 1:30 p.m. until the time of gathering. Expressions of sympathy can be made to Croswell Opera House, or Huron Valley Humane Society.

Eleanor F. O’Neal
Of Stockbridge, MI

Age 55 passed away at her home surrounded by her family on February 22, 2008. She was born the daughter of Anderson and Velma (Workman) Johnson on March 4, 1952 in Logan County, West Virginia. On December 19, 1997 she married Kirk J. O’Neal and he survives. Eleanor loved to garden, she loved her two dogs Brandy and Lady, cooking for others, fishing, #24 Jeff Gordon, her lighthouses and carousel horses, the holidays and all the decorations. Most of all she loved her family. In addition to her husband Kirk, she is survived by her daughter Tiffany Felch of Detroit; siblings William Johnson of Taylor, Geraldine (Bill ) Wolfe of Ohio, Charlie Johnson of Flatrock, Dianna Timmerman of South Lyon, Glenn Johnson of Waltz, Perry (Denise) Johnson, of Westland, Amos Adams of Farmington Hills and Judy Johnson of Chapmanville, WV. Also surviving are her grandchildren Megan Felch, James and Kayla Dunlap, and Brittany Bivens as well as many nieces and nephews, special friends Margie, Tom and Terry. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son Thomas Bivens. Funeral services will be Monday at the Caskey Mitchell funeral home with the Rev. Robert J. Freysinger officiating. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Ovarian Cancer Society of Michigan. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 2-4and 6-8 p.m.

Mabel G. Pidd
Of Chelsea, MI
Formerly of Stockbridge and Dexter, MI

Age 95 passed away at the Chelsea Retirement Community, Towsley Village on February 20, 2008. She was born the daughter of Harvey P. and Pearl (Place) Proctor on September 6, 1912 in Superior Township, MI. On March 10, 1932 she married Erwin F. Pidd and he preceded her in death on September 27, 1964. In April of 1972 she married Milan Frank and he preceded her in death in 2001. Mabel was a member of Dexter United Methodist church for over 60 years. She was a member of Farm Bureau, a lifetime member of the Washtenaw Chapter 302 Order of the Eastern Star and a past Worthy Matron. Mabel loved traveling and traveled to every State in the country except Alaska. She is survived by her children Betty (Vernon) Thalmann of Delton, MI, Fran Alber of Middleville, MI, Bill (Barbara) Pidd of Stockbridge, MI, Karen Lyndon of Goshen IN, John Pidd of Stockbridge, MI, Gary (Renee) Pidd of Stockbridge, MI, Ben (Connie) Powell of Dexter, Linda (Rick) Schultz of Wayne, MI, Kathleen (Ronald) Herrst of Chelsea, MI, and Darrell (Pat) Pidd of Osceo, MI. Also surviving are 31 grandchildren, 45 great grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren as well as one brother Russell Proctor and two sisters-in-law Lucy and Virginia Proctor. In addition to her parents, husbands, and an infant daughter Sarah E. Pidd, she was preceded in death by her grandsons William J. Pidd, Scott E. Koscielniak and Darren B. Powell; one great grandson Bradley Lapham; sons-in-law Rev. Richard Lyndon and Donald Alber; her siblings Stanley Proctor, Bernice Barnsdale, Florence Stark, Kenneth Proctor, Floyd Proctor, Emma Dinius, Wesley Proctor, Harvey Proctor, Lester Proctor and Vera Carley. Funeral services will be Monday, February 25, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. from the Dexter United Methodist Church with Dr. Matthew Hook officiating. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Dexter United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends at the Staffan-Mitchell funeral home in Chelsea on Sunday, February 24 from 2-8 p.m.

Ruby LaFountain

Of Stockbridge, Michigan

Age 72, passed away Thursday, February 14, 2008 at the Ingham County Regional Hospital Green Lawn Campus in Lansing. She was born on February 23, 1935 in Salyersville, Kentucky the daughter of Radar and Rosie (Dyer) Roark. Ruby had lived in the area since she was a little girl. She was a member of Trinity Church of God in Fitchburg and enjoyed gardening , mowing the grass, her flowers and all of her grandbabies. Surviving are her six children, Pat (Ray) Debular of Stockbridge, Jackie (Wayne Kinne) Cavanaugh of Dansville, Steve Bradley of Stockbridge, Jimmie (Brenda) Bradley of Dansville, Eileen (Mike) McClinchey of Stockbridge, and Robin (Scott) McCann of Stockbridge; three sisters, Pauline Baum of Dansville, Maxine McConeghy of Stockbridge, Jewell (JB) Hensley of Rives Junction; one brother Ed (Mary) Roark of Bunker Hill; eleven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her first husband Ellis Bradley and also her second husband James "Dick" LaFountain; one brother Rader Roark, and three infant siblings, Ellis Bradley, William Lee Bradley, and Deanna Bradley. Funeral services will be Monday, February 18, 2008 at 2:30 P.M. from the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge with Pastor Mark Roark officiating. Burial will follow at Fitchburg Cemetery, Bunker Hill Township. Expressions of sympathy can be made to Trinity Church of God.

Carolann Davis
Of Garrett, IN.
Formerly of Stockbridge
Age 61 of Garrett, IN died at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at her home. Carolann was born December 19, 1946 in Grand Rapids, MI to Wayne H. and Edna I (Hadley) Geer. She worked in the office for 30 years at Dana Corporation in Chelsea, MI and retired in 1994 from Pottstown, PA plant. She worked for 11 years at TRW in Garrett in the shipping department. She married Gerald (Duke) Davis on June 30, 1995 in Las Vegas, NV and had been a Garrett resident since 1995. She was a member of the Plainfield United Methodist Church in Gregory, MI. She was also a member of the Garrett American Legion Aux., Garrett Eagles Aux., UAW Local #164 in Auburn and was a member of the Red Hat Society in Garrett. She was an avid bowler and bowled on the Dana League. Surviving besides her husband are her mother, Edna Geer of Brighton, MI; son and daughter, Raymond (Teresa) Risner of Stockbridge, MI and Dawn (Kelly) Kalusha of Stockbridge; 4 granddaughters, Staci McDonald, Brittany McDonald, Amanda Risner and Katlyn Risner; 1 grandson, Ryan Risner; 1 great-granddaughter Shailynn Romero; 1 brother and 2 sisters, Roger Geer, of Dayton, OH, Patricia MacArthur of Brighton, MI and Judy Jacobs of Gregory, MI. A memorial service will be Wed. Feb. 20, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. with visitation from 11:00 a.m. till time of service from the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge. Expressions of sympathy may be made to St. Joseph Catholic School in Garrett, IN. or the DeKalb County Cancer Society in Auburn, IN.

Richard J. Ball
Of Grass Lake,
Formerly of Chelsea

Age 62, went to be with his heavenly Father, Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at his home with his family and friends at his side. He was born on April 11, 1945 in Chelsea, Michigan. In his early years he was adopted and raised by his grandparents, Joseph and Rose “Zink” Ball. Richard worked for the Local 190 Plumbers and Steamfitters Union for 30 years, retiring in 1996. He was a member of Faith Baptist Church of Chelsea. He loved hunting, working on old cars and Red tractors, but it was his children and grandchildren that he truly adored. On October 16, 1967, he married Sandra K. Bailey in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and she survives; also surviving are two children, Mike (Karen) Ball of Chelsea, and Michelle (Thomas) Baisden of Stockbridge; six grandchildren Amanda and Ashley Ball, Lacey and Jarrett Hadley, and Brook and Dylan Baisden; four brothers David Ball of North Carolina, Thomas Ball of Florida, Mike (Beverly) Slane of Chelsea and Charles Slane of Munith; three sisters, Mary Schiller of Chelsea, Rose (John) Goebel of Missouri , and Mary Gaken of Chelsea; also several nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends, including Kimberly Whitaker. Richard was preceded in death by three brothers, Duffield, Edward and Robert Sr. Ball; two sisters, Roseanne Gimmey and Dorothy Hunawill; also one nephew Robert Ball Jr. Funeral services will be Monday, February 18, 2008 at 11:00 A.M. from Faith Baptist Church of Chelsea with Pastors Jack Story and Mark Adam Summers co-officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove East Cemetery, Chelsea. Expressions of sympathy can be made to the Ball Family. The family will receive friends at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea on Saturday from 6-8 P.M. and Sunday 2-4 and 6-8 P.M.

Dorothy L. Tisch

Of Stockbridge, MI

Age 87 passed away at the Stockbridge Country Manor on February 11, 2008. She was born the daughter of Levi and Clara (Russell) Jennings on March 15, 1920 in Jackson, MI. In 1940 Dorothy graduated from nursing school at Mercy Hospital in Jackson, MI. On May 26, 1940 in Jackson, MI she married Rayner Tisch and he preceded her in death in 1996. Dorothy was a member of St. Jacob Lutheran church, loved to garden and loved to eat Big Mac’s. Faith family and friends were most important to her. Dorothy is survived by her children Ray (Carol) Tisch of Brighton, Richard Tisch of Munith and Ron (Elaine) Tisch of Stockbridge as well as 10 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brothers Richard and Fredrick Jennings. Funeral services will be Thursday, February 14, 2008 at 11:00v a.m. from St. Jacob Evangelical Lutheran Church a.m. with Pastor Scott Schwertfeger officiating. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the church. The family will receive friends at the Caskey-Mitchell funeral home on Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.

George L. Palmer
Of Chelsea, MI
Age 78, passed away at the University of Michigan Hospital on Sunday, February 10, 2008. George was born on July 1, 1929 in Ann Arbor, Michigan the son of Leigh and Lois (Stokoe) Palmer. He was raised in Chelsea, and was graduated from Chelsea High School in 1947. He then furthered his education at the University of Miami (Florida) receiving a degree of Bachelor of Business Administration. George was a veteran of the Korean war, serving in the U.S. Army. On May 4, 1957, he married Donna Anderson in Manistee, Michigan. Together they had two daughters, Suzie and Carol, whom they raised in Chelsea. They were active members in Chelsea’s First United Methodist Church. George’s accomplishments, leadership and service to the Chelsea Community are extensive. As owner of Palmer Ford-Mercury, he received numerous awards from Ford Motor Company. He took pride in the fact that his father founded Palmer Motor Sales on April 15, 1912, boasting "Michigan’s Oldest Ford Dealership". George was an active member and former president of the Kiwanis Club, as well as the Chelsea Jaycee’s. He was also a former board member of the Chelsea State Bank, was the first Chairman of the Chelsea Civic Foundation, and was a member of the Herbert McKune American Legion Post of Chelsea. He enjoyed photography, raising orchids during his winter months on St. Croix, and was well-known for his "behind the scenes" involvement in local politics! George was serious and reserved, and was a business man to the heart. He was very patriotic and loved the American flag and could always be seen wearing a flag pin in his lapel. However, he will always be remembered driving his battered red Ford Festiva around town. George is survived by his wife of 50 years, Donna: two daughters, Suzie and Biff Weber, of Chelsea, and Dr. Carol Palmer of Denver, Colorado; two grandsons, John and Matt Weber, of Chelsea; one sister Mary Becker of Florida, a nephew, Chris Becker of Minneapolis, Minnesota; a niece, Anne Daniels of Chelsea; and a cousin, Lois Moore of Chelsea. He was preceded in death by his parents, and an infant sister, Sally. Funeral services will be held Friday, February 15, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Chelsea, with the Rev. Joy Barrett and the Rev. Barbara Lewis-Lakin co-officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove East Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home on Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. and Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Memorial contributions may be made to the George Palmer Scholarship.

Mary E. Risner
Of Stockbridge, Michigan.
Age 79, passed away Friday February 8, 2008 at the Chelsea Community Hospital. She was born on September 5, 1928 in Salyersville, Kentucky the daughter of Eddie and Bertha (Rice) Poe. She loved cooking and baking, and always sending the leftover’s with her loved ones. Sewing, quilting, and spending time at Jeruel Baptist Church she loved. Most of all she loved and cherished her family. On February 4, 1946 in Kentucky she married Charles E. Risner and he preceded her in death on May 25, 2007. Surviving are; her children, Lewis (Ginger) Risner of Stockbridge, Jeanette (Dave) Everett of Grass Lake, two sisters Grace Fitzpatrick of Ohio, Ann (Jerry) Vader of South Carolina; four brothers Frank (Carol) Poe of Jackson, Hershell (Sandy) Poe of Grass Lake, Roger (Mary) Poe of Texas, and Calvin Poe of Washington. Four grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren, and one great-great granddaughter. She was also preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, Jewell Cousino, Rotha Christian, and Elsie Fitch. One brother Lewis Poe. Funeral services will be Monday February 11, 2008 at 2:30 P.M. at Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge with Rev. Robert Castle officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Lawn Cemetery, Stockbridge. Expressions of sympathy can be made to Jeruel Baptist Church. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M.

Elizabeth A. Lytle
Of Munith, Mi.

Age 94, passed away Thursday February 7, 2008 at her home. She was born on October 5, 1913 in Louisville, Kentucky the daughter of Gottfried and Anna (Dapp) Graf. Elizabeth had lived in the area since she was a little girl. She was a member of the Munith United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school and was active in the WSCS. She also received her teaching certificate and began her short career at Reeves and Lowe’s county school, also she worked for twenty-five years for the D&C Department stores in Stockbridge, retiring in the late 1970’s. Her Family was number one, and she adored all her grandchildren and great grandchildren. On May 18, 1938 she married Elmer E. Lytle in Angola IN, and he survives, also surviving are two children Marilyn (Dean) Katz of Munith and Jerry (Sue) Lytle of Kentucky; two brothers, Ernest Graf of Dansville and Fred (Theda) Graf of Stockbridge; one sister-in-law Irene Graf of Frankenmuth; five grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren along with several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two brothers John and G.C. Graf and one sister Rosalie Paul. Funeral services will be Monday, February 11, 2008 at 11:00 A.M. from the Munith United Methodist Church with Rev. Larry Rubingh officiating. Burial will follow at North Stockbridge Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy can be made to Munith United Methodist Church or Arbor Hospice. The family will receive friends at the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home in Stockbridge on Saturday from 6-8 P.M. and Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M.