Roland "Rolly" A. White
Chelsea
Roland "Rolly" A. White, a longtime resident of Chelsea, died Friday, June 6, 2008. He was 88 .
Rolly was born on March 13, 1920, in Durand, Mich. He was the son of Byron A. and Berneice (Fonger) Chubb. He attended school in Chelsea, graduated from Chelsea High School in 1939, and attended Ann Arbor Secretarial School. Rolly enlisted in the US Army in 1943, serving first in the 129th Cavalry Squadron, Fort Riley, Kan. then transferred to the Transportation Corps OCS in New Orleans, La., where he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was later stationed at the Port of Embarkation in New York City, N.Y., where he received his 1st Lieutenant Commission. He finished his tour of duty as a Transportation Service Officer aboard the US Army "Hagerstown Victory". Upon his discharge from the US Army, Rolly worked at Argus Cameras in Ann Arbor, while working part-time as an officer with the Chelsea Police Department. He retired from O&S Bearing and Manufacturing of Whitmore Lake in 1980.
On Dec. 12, 1942 he married Eunice Hart of Chelsea and she survives. Also surviving are his children, a daughter Sandra McClear of Chelsea, and a son John (Leone) White of Okemos; three grandchildren, Audra (Daniel) Lungo of Chelsea, Andrew (fiancČe Susan Keuss) of St. Louis, Missouri, and Laura White of Chicago, Illinois; two great-grandchildren, Sean Lungo and Cassandra Lungo of Chelsea. Rolly was preceded in death by his parents, step-father Clayton White, sister Lyndall White Ott, son-in-law, Michael McClear, a half-brother Leo Chubb, and a half-sister June Dennis.
The family will hold a small memorial service at St. Paul United Church of Christ. Memorial contributions may be made in Rolly's name to Arbor Hospice, 2366 Oak Valley Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48103. Arrangements by Cole Funeral Chapel, Chelsea.
Virginia Valdeen Dietle "Ginny"
Chelsea
Virginia Valdeen Dietle "Ginny" of Chelsea passed away peacefully June 7, 2008 at the Chelsea Retirement Community, Towsley Village, with her loving family at her side. She was 83.
Ginny was born Virginia Valdeen Thayer on Aug. 6, 1924, the daughter of Buell and Grace (Schenk) Thayer, in Ann Arbor. She lived in Dearborn, graduating from Dearborn High in 1942, and then attended Eastern Michigan University. Ginny married Larry Dietle on Aug. 5, 1944 in Chelsea. They lived in Chelsea their entire married life except for two years during World War II. Ginny was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ and sang in the choir for 35 years. She was a Child Study Club Honorary and belonged to several bridge groups. Larry and Ginny started and operated MacDee, Inc. in Chelsea in 1964, retiring in 1988.
Ginny was preceded in death by her mother in 1954, and her husband of 58 years, Lawrence Dietle, in 2002. She is survived by her son David (Teresa) Dietle, of Australia, Joan (Ron) Howell and Carole (Gary) Zenz, all of Chelsea. In addition, she has five loving grandchildren: Laurie Wolfe, Carrie Dietle, Paul, Jeff, and Sarah Zenz, and three great-grandchildren: Elise, Carly and Trenton Wolfe. The family would like to thank the staff at both Towsley and Silver Maples for their compassionate care. Ginny was a loving and gentle wife, mother and grandmother. Her beauty and grace will be remembered and cherished by her family forever.
Funeral services were June 11 from the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home. Burial followed at Oak Grove Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be made to St. Paul United Church of Christ, Chelsea, or Arbor Hospice.
Laurence J. Watko
Chelsea
†Laurence J. Watko of Chelsea passed away at home with his family by his side on May 31, 2008. He was 51.
He was born the son of Laurence P. and Mary (Dietzel) Watko on Oct. 9, 1956 in Washington D.C.† On Aug. 9, 1986 in Stockbridge he married Karin Lindquist and she survives.† Laurence loved the outdoors especially deer hunting with his sons and going to the Chelsea Rod and Gun Club. Family and friends were most important to him.† In addition to his wife, he is survived by his two sons Joshua and Jeffery both of Chelsea as well as his mother of Englewood, Florida, his brother Michael Watko of Englewood, Fla., and his sisters Debra (John) Watson of California and Jennifer (Scott) Davis of Ramona, Calif. along with many nieces and nephews.† The family will receive friends at the Chelsea Rod and Gun Club on June 14, 2008 from 1-4 p.m.† Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Joshua and Jeffrey Watko College fund via Flag Star bank. Arrangements are by the Staffan-Mitchell funeral home.
Richard W. "Dick" Lucas
Dexter
Richard W. "Dick" Lucas of Dexter died peacefully on May 22, 2008 at his daughter's home in Dexter.
Mr. Lucas was born on Oct. 2, 1938 in Rochester, NY and spent most of his adult life in the Dexter-Chelsea area. Most of his working years were spent as an autobody painter. This last year, he fought a courageous battle with lung cancer. As bad as it got, he never lost his sense of humor. Without a doubt anyone who knew him, has a story to tell! Those close to him knew that he loved life and those that were in his.
He is survived by his four children: Terry (Toni) Lucas, Jody (Gary) Wojnar, Rick (Denee) Lucas and Regina (Scott) Bell. His three step-children: Ken Byers, Kim (Bill) Haworth and Kelly (Paul) Akeo. He was very proud of his 16 grandchildren: Michael, Will, Tiffany, Tricia, Brittany, Shelby, Tyler, Ian, Lucas, McKenna, Julia, Jonathon, Cross, Joseph, Finnegan and Elliott. One great-granddaughter, Alaina and a great-grandson due in August. He will be forever missed by his dear friend, Joan Lucas. He is preceded in death by his parents, five siblings and his grandson, Justin.
A memorial luncheon was planned for June 7 in Dexter. Memorial contributions can be made to Arbor Hospice, for the wonderful care they provided to Dick and his entire family.
Ida Lucille Morley
Chelsea
Ida Lucille Morley, 90, of Chelsea, passed away on Saturday, May 24, 2008 at Prestige Place/ Life
House in Clare, Mich.
She was born on April 1, 1918 in Lebanon Township to Glen and Cora Rickert. She was married to Paul Morley; they resided in Chelsea for 58 years where Ida worked for the Chelsea Public Schools for 18 years.
She lived in Prestige Place/Life House for the past two years. She loved to play Bingo and cards.
Ida(Lucille) is survived by her sons Ron (Pat) of Gladwin, Mich., Will (Kathy) of Gladwin and Gene (Sandy) of Saline, grandchildren Maleeya (Scot) Postma, Malissa (Bruce) Miller, Paul Morley, Alicia (Nick) Hyma, granddaughter in law Ruth Morley, great-grandchildren Josh (Ashley), Ben and Jessie Rose Postma, Marcy and Daniel Miller, Alex and Noelle Hyma, John, Mike and Wilson III Morley.
Ida is preceded in death by her husband Paul and grandson Wilson Morley Jr.
Holton H. Knisely
Chelsea
Holton H. Knisely of Chelsea and formerly of Dexter passed away Monday, June 2, 2008 at the Chelsea Retirement Community. He was 91.
He was born on June 12, 1916 in Channing, Mich., the son of Holton and Myrtle (Hagerman) Knisely. Mr. Knisely had lived in the area since 1929. He was a member of North Lake United Methodist Church and owned and operated K and E Screw Products Company for 23 years. Bird watching, reading, playing the harmonica, woodworking, and planting all kinds of trees he truly enjoyed. He also did missionary work in Ecuador.
For nearly 72 years he was married to Mildred E. Noah, and she preceded him in death just only seven days ago. May they both rest in peace.
Surviving are four children, Lorna (Harold "James") Eberts of Tawas City, David (Janet) Knisely of Chelsea, Eric (Beth Ann) Knisely of Dexter and Beth Emilie (Michael) Folts of Grass Lake; eight grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren; one sister, Saralu (Gordon) Chamberlain of Lansing; and his loyal dog Twinkle. He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Bertha Bachrach and Rhoda Knisely.
A memorial service was June 5, 2008 at the Towsley Chapel, Chelsea Retirement Community. Mr. Knisely's funeral was Friday, June 6, 2008 at North Lake United Methodist Church. Burial was at North Lake Cemetery.
Expressions of sympathy can be made to the North Lake United Methodist Church Building Fund.
Margaret Bernidene Visel
Chelsea
Margaret Bernidene Visel of Chelsea passed away Friday, June 6, 2008 at the Chelsea Retirement Community, Towsley Village. She was 89.
She was born on Nov. 25, 1918 in Chelsea, the daughter of William and Margaret (Null) Birch. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Chelsea, also belonging to the Alter Society.
Surviving are her sister-in-law, Harriet Birch, as well as many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, L. Frank Visel, three brothers, James, William, and Louis Birch, and two sisters, Cecilia Neal and Mary Ritter.
Funeral services were June 10, 2008 from St. Mary Catholic Church, Chelsea with Rev. Dr. William J. Turner presiding. Burial followed at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Chelsea. Expressions of sympathy can be made to St. Mary Catholic Church.
Robert Jesse Kauffman
Lake Geneva, Wisc.
Robert Jesse Kauffman of Lake Geneva, Wisc. passed away peacefully at home on June 5, 2008. He was 82.
The son of Jesse Strine Kauffman and Ann McCurdy MacKenzie Kauffman, Bob was born in Detroit on May 27, 1926. He served in World War II in the Army Air Corps. Upon his release he attended and graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in Business Administration in 1950.
He married Nancy Winifred Zvingilas. Living for many years in Plymouth, Bob was employed by Packaging Corporation of America, and later by Down River Forest Products Division of Greif Brothers Corporation. He served in sales, and later as vice-president on the board of directors of Greif Brothers, and also as a manufacturer's representative for the company. Like his father and grandfather, Bob held several patents on his own inventions. Bob was a self starter with many unique talents and lived life to its fullest. In 1982, with no formal training Bob designed his own home in Chelsea serving as his own general contractor. On the property stood a barn which Bob had removed from an old farm and reconstructed himself. The home was built using many architectural antiques. He was an emphatic University of Michigan football fan, an enthusiastic golfer, and in his later years took up fly-fishing. In 1994, Bob and Nancy moved to Lake Geneva, Wisc.
Perhaps Bob's greatest and most prolific years were his last ten. After six years of research, in 2004, at the age of 78, Bob published his first book on genealogy, tracing his roots back to 1100. In 2006, he published a second book about his boyhood years in Ann Arbor. In 2004, he began to teach himself to sketch, producing hundreds of sketches, many of which appeared in his books.
In the fall of 2007, at the age of 81, despite being afflicted with ALS, Bob began to market his sketches, one of which won a Blue Ribbon at the Walworth County Fair in Wisconsin.
He was a brave and courageous man until the end and will be greatly missed by the family he loved so much.
Survivors include his wife Nancy, daughters Cheryl Kowalski of Wheaton, Ill. and Lynn Behlhig of Sebastopol, Calif., his son Douglas Kauffman of Denver, Col., and his four grandchildren, Amy, Andrew, Elliott and Dillon. The youngest of his five siblings, he was he last survivor.
The Kauffman family received visitors June 9, 2008 at the Haase-Derrick-Lockwood Funeral Home in Lake Geneva, Wisc.
A funeral service was held June 10 in the Chapel of the funeral home with the Reverend Gene Trieglaff officiating. Burial followed in East Delavan Cemetery in Delavan Township, Wisc.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy memorials are requested in Robert's name to: V.N.A Hospice of Lake Geneva, 500 Interchange North, Lake Geneva, WI 53147.
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