Vernita B. Prentice

of Jackson, Michigan, age 85, passed away Monday, September 28, 2009 at her home. She was born on May 31, 1924 in Manchester, Michigan, the daughter of Ervin and Gladys (Furgason) Coy. On April 3, 1945 she married Bernard Prentice in Manchester. Vernita loved gardening, playing golf, and bowling. She was a longtime member of the Waterloo Village United Methodist Church and their needlework club, and also a member of the American Legion Ladies Auxillary. She was a cook for the Stockbridge School District for over 20 years and a 4-H leader. Surviving are two daughters, Janet (Dean) Otto and Linda (Jim) VanSlette; two sons, Wayne (Debbie) Prentice and Dale (Laurie) Prentice; 11 grandchildren, Kyle (Cindi) Otto, Kevin (Mandy) Otto, Jennifer (John) Weese, Jeff (Sarah) VanSlette, Theresa Prentice, Brad (Lindsey) Prentice, Brandt Prentice, Kristin (Kevin) Marshall, Katie (Chris) Thomas, Nick Prentice, and Emily Prentice; seven great-grandchildren, Nick Glynn, Cari Glynn, Jaeleen Otto, Serina Sally, Jackson Prentice, Carly Marshall, and Gardner Otto; one brother-in-law, Homer Prentice; one sister-in-law, Margaret Prentice; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard Prentice; her parents; four sisters; three sisters-in-law; and five brothers-in-law. Funeral services will be held Friday, October 2, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. from the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home in Stockbridge with Pastor Georgie Dack officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Waterloo. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Waterloo Village United Methodist Church.

Kathleen M. Rogers

of Gregory, Michigan, age 51, passed away Saturday, September 26, 2009 at her home. Arrangements are pending at this time. Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.

John Wesley Brown

of Chelsea, Michigan, age 70, passed away Sunday, September 27, 2009 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor. He was born on June 7, 1939 in Oil Springs, Kentucky, the son of Gale and Clara (Lemaster) Brown. On May 14, 1959 he married Judith Adams in Salyersville, Kentucky, and she survives. He loved gardening, hunting, fishing for Steelhead and Salmon, and spending time with his grandchildren. John especially loved Kentucky and visiting his family back home. He is survived by his wife, Judy Brown; two children, Todd (Kathy) Brown of Milan and Lloyd L. Brown of Ann Arbor; two brothers, Donald (Sandra) Brown and Jim (Cindy) Brown , both of Paintsville, Kentucky; and two grandchildren, Ruby and Mitchell Brown. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Delano Brown. A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 3, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. from the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home with Pastor Marty Carter officiating. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association.

Clifford G. Collinsworth

of Chelsea, Michigan, age 77, passed away Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on October 22, 1931 in Magoffin County, Kentucky, the son of Rolie and Addie (Cooper) Collinsworth. He had lived in the area since 1954, moving from Salyersville, Kentucky. He served in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1954. Clifford retired from Rockwell after 30 years in 1983. In 1960, he began a garbage route that he did for many years. He was an avid fisherman and loved playing poker, bingo, watching WWF wrestling, horse races, and Nascar. He is survived by his children, Donald R. (Trisha) Collinsworth, Jimmy Collinsworth, Debbie (Randy) Ellis, all of Chelsea, and Carrie (John) Garrison of Pottsville, Pennsylvania; his siblings, Tom Collinsworth of Grass Lake, Katherine (Eldean) Eisele of Chelsea, Harold (Barbara) Collinsworth of Salyersville, Kentucky, Luke (Sue) Collinsworth of Chelsea, Mary (Arnold) Higgins of Tennessee, and Jean (Bob) Castle of Indiana; four grandchildren, Jamie, Melissa (Derek), Jimmy Lee (Susan), and Travis; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma Lee in 2000; his grandson, Clifford Collinsworth; his siblings, Guy Roark, Anna Borders, Ben Roark, Wannie Allen; and an infant sister, Betty Lou. A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 26, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. from the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home with Rev. Robert Castle officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Sylvan Township. Expressions of sympathy can be made to Disabled American Veterans. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.

Mary K. Weber

of Chelsea, Michigan, age 83, passed away Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at Chelsea Community Hospital. She was born on December 10, 1925 in Jackson, Michigan, the daughter of William C. and Magdalen (Eisele) Weber. Mary graduated from Chelsea High School and received her teaching degree from the University of Detroit. She retired after 31 years of teaching in 1984, starting at the Detroit Public Schools and then teaching 4th grade for the Chelsea School District. She was an avid supporter of education. Playing bridge, reading mysteries, and spending time with family and friends she truly loved. A lifelong member of St. Mary Catholic Church, she served on the Church Council and the Finance Committee and also was a longtime volunteer for Faith in Action. Survivors include one brother, Robert L. Weber of Owosso; one sister-in-law, Sandra K. Weber of Chelsea; 12 nieces and nephews, Jeffry (Chelly) Weber of Grass Lake, Todd (Shelley) Weber of Grass Lake, Lisa Smith of Atlanta, Michigan, David (Tammy) Weber of Grass Lake, Joan Weber of Manchester, Shelly (Wayne) Welton of Chelsea, Anne (Michael) Quinn of Trenton, Karen (Jim) Phelps of Saline, Eric Weber of Owosso, Sara (Derek) Roesler of Traverse City, Mark Weber of Lansing, and Nicholas Weber of Detroit; seven great-nieces and nephews; and one great-great-nephew. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Frederick A. "Fritz" Weber and William C. Weber; and her sister, Phyllis A. Weber. Funeral services will be held Friday, September 25, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. from St. Mary Catholic Church, Chelsea with Rev. Dr. William J. Turner officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home on Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. with Rosary at 7:30. Mary's family would like to extend a special thank-you to all of her caregivers at the Meadows at Silver Maples. Memorial contributions may be made to the Chelsea Education Foundation or St. Mary Catholic Church.

Mary H. Baize

of Chelsea, Michigan, age 84, passed away Saturday, September 19, 2009 at the Chelsea Community Hospital. She was born on April 14, 1925 in Walker County, Alabama, the daughter of Oather and Pearl (Townley) Hubbert. Mary had lived in the area since 1946 and was an active member of the North Lake United Methodist Church. For many years she worked for Rockwell International, and in her later years she was the CATS Bus Dispatcher. Surviving are two children, Charles "Mike" (Karen) Baize of Gregory and Shelley Berger of Plymouth; four grandchildren, Garth (Heidi) Baize, Adrianne (Jeff) Dolph, Gerrick (Samantha) Baize, and Jodi Baize; four great-grandchildren, Alyson Baize, Elsa Baize, Breanne Dolph, and Jaden Dunahoo; many loving nieces and nephews; two sisters, Bettye Grimm of Charleston, South Carolina and Evelyn (Luke) Clark of Florida; two brothers-in-law, Butch Price and Scott Blackwell; and her dear neighbors and special friends forever, Jim and Gail Finch. She truly loved animals and flowers but her special feline friend, Maizie, she cherished. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles; her son, Mark Baize; one brother, Charles Hubbert; and two sisters, Jo Carol Price and Doris Blackwell. Funeral services will be Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. from the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home with Rev. Alice Sheffield officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove East Cemetery, Chelsea. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Expressions of sympathy can be made to the North Lake United Methodist Church or the Humane Society of Huron Valley.

David F. Stoffer

of Gregory, Michigan, age 61, passed away Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at St. Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital in Howell. He was born on November 26, 1947 in Stockbridge, Michigan, the son of Roland and Muriel (Cranna) Stoffer. On December 4, 1976 he married Lucille Thrasher in Gregory and she survives. David had lived in the area his entire life. He was employed at Rockwell and then retired from Pfizer in 2002. He was involved with the Unadilla Township Fire Department for over 40 years. David served his country in the United States Army and was a member of the Mackinder-Glenn American Legion Post 510. In addition to his wife, Luci Stoffer, and his parents, he is survived by two children, Michael (Dana) Stoffer of Gregory and Yvonne (John Hopkins) Whitaker of Stockbridge; three sisters, Sharon (Robert) Ramseyer of AuGray, Michigan, Linda (Steve) Collins of Stockbridge, and Debbie (Scott) Bogart of Evergreen, Colorado; one brother, Kenneth (Evelyn) Stoffer of Okemos; and five grandchildren, Devin, Connor, Savannah, Caydin, and Jessica. Funeral services will be held Friday, September 18, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. from the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home in Stockbridge. Burial will follow at Plainfield Cemetery in Unadilla Township. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Unadilla Fire Department, Gregory Community Church, American Cancer Society, St. Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospice, or the Mackinder-Glenn American Legion Post 510.

Dixie L. Cannon

of Howell, MI, age 96, passed away Thursday, September 10, 2009 at Brookhaven Manor in Ann Arbor. She was born on January 8, 1913 in Ft. Thomas, KY, where she lived until she married Charles C. Cannon and moved to Howell in 1942. She was the Gran Dame of entertaining and loved hosting a party which was only surpassed by her excellent cooking. She was an accomplished seamstress and designed many wedding trousseaus in her lifetime. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Sadie (Thorton) Ashbaugh; two brothers, Richard and Bill Ashbaugh; one sister, Virginia Lee Ross; and husband, Charles C. Cannon. She is survived by two children, Ronald (Sharon) Cannon of Powder Springs, GA and Candice (James III) Smith of Chelsea, MI; one granddaughter, Jennifer (Bradford Hunter) Cannon of Spicewood, TX; and her nieces and nephews, Pat Stempfly, Kim Bradley, Sara Stempfly, Judee Brann, and Bill Ashbaugh. No services are planned at this time and private burial will take place at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association. Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home.

Arthur R. Cobb

of Chelsea, Michigan, age 73, passed away at home with his family on Thursday, September 10, 2009. He was born on March 4, 1936 in Stockbridge, Michigan, the son of Arthur S. and Irene (Smith) Cobb. He served his country in the United States Marine Corps. Art worked for the Stockbridge Fire Department for 17 years and retired from the Chrysler Proving Grounds after 36 years on December 31, 1994. He was involved with the Stockbridge Village Council and was also an assistant coach for the Chelsea Varsity Softball team. On January 10, 1958 he married Roberta Cobb and she survives. Also surviving are two daughters, Sheryl (Ken) Penar and Laurel Cobb; six grandchildren, Stacey (Justin) Tompkins, Corey (Kristy Kelly) Johnston, Jeremy Johnston, Kelsey Penar, Nicholas Harwood, and Hannah Harwood; two great-grandchildren, Jonathan and Matthew Tompkins; and three sisters, Marian Lindburg, Emma Lou Pomrenke, and Vivian Cobb. He was preceded in death by his sons, Edward Ray and James Arthur; three brothers, Roland, Norwood, and Cecil; and his parents. Funeral services will be held Monday, September 14, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. from St. Andrew's United Church of Christ of Dexter (7610 Ann Arbor Street) with the Rev. Dr. Robert Summers officiating. Private burial will take place at a later date. The family will receive friends at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home on Saturday from 6-8 p.m. and Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Arbor Hospice Foundation, the Kidney Foundation, or to support research at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Phillip D. Kunzelman

of Gregory, Michigan, age 87, passed away at his home with his family on Saturday September 5, 2009. He was born on February 22, 1922 in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, the son of Fred and Sabina May (McCarter-Goodwin) Kunzelman. Phil had lived in the area since 1946 and was a 70 plus year member of the Gregory Community Church were he held every position possible. In 1968 he purchased the Hoard Farm in which the family still farms today. In 1976 he retired form Rockwell International in Chelsea after 32 years in Shipping and Receiving. In addition to his Unadilla Township Board membership, he also was former Fire Chief of Unadilla Department in which he was involved with for the past 30 years. Family, Farming, Fire Department, friends, and faith, we all should follow that example. Phil was also a veteran serving in the United States Army, receiving the Purple Heart and was honorably discharged on October 11, 1945. On September 26, 1942 he married Margaret E. Bovee, and she survives. Also surviving are three sons, Harold P. Kunzelman of Manchester, Duane (Chita) Kunzelman, and Gordon (Penny) Kunzelman, all of Gregory; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one sister, Frieda (Gene) Meredith of Alpena; two sisters-in-law, Jean and Jane Kunzelman; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by one infant child; five brothers, George, Milford, Marshall, Elton, and Dwight Kunzelman; and three sisters, Mildred Barnes, Donna Kunzelman, and Frances Squires. Funeral services will be Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. from the Gregory Community Church with Rev. Heidi Demott Shanes officiating. Burial will follow at Plainfield Cemetery, Unadilla Township. Expressions of sympathy can be made to Gregory Community Church, Unadilla Township Fire Department, or St. Joseph Livingston County Home Care and Hospice. The family will receive friends at the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.

Paul E. Baker

of Munith, Michigan, age 71, passed away Friday, September 4, 2009 at his home. He was born October 11, 1937 in Hillsboro, Tennessee, the son of Floyd and Ruby (Willis) Baker. Paul had lived in the area most of his life. He worked for the State of Michigan for the Department of Corrections in Jackson for 22 years, retiring in 2003. He was a veteran of the United States Army, being honorably discharged in November of 1960. He enjoyed his computer, old music of all kinds, and played violin in the Jackson Symphony Orchestra. On September 15, 1989 he married Penny L. Van Sickle, and she survives. Also surviving are three children, Kathy (Dave) Ruede, Randy (Lisa) Baker, and David Baker, all of Jackson; one step-son, Christopher (Nisha) Gonerka of Parma; and five grandchildren, Jeremy, Kristyn, Jason, Austin, and Robert. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. from the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home with Rev. Robert Castle officiating. Burial will follow at Munith Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy can be made to Allegiance Hospice. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.