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John Franklin Stafford

of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of formerly of Ann Arbor and Grass Lake

Age 88, passed away Saturday, August 22, 2026 at Henry Ford Hospital in Jackson. He was born October 13, 1937 in Marion, Illinois, the son of John Wesley Quayle Stafford and May Mamie Pedigo. In 1953, the Stafford family moved to the Ypsi/Ann Arbor area.

John graduated from Ypsilanti High School in 1956. In 1967, he created John Stafford Carpentry and served in the Ann Arbor area for more than 50 years. He always loved the City of Ann Arbor and specialized in the Old West Side. John was very artistic and creative, with a gentle, sweet spirit. He loved old tractors, and was a member of the Jackson Tractor club. John took his Farmall tractor across the Mackinac bridge during the Mackinac Bridge Antique Tractor Crossing. His favorite TV shows were “bitchin’ rides” and old Westerns. John enjoyed his music, including Neil Diamond, Glen Campbell, and Hank Williams. He spent his last few years of retirement living with his love Nancy Layton, and his precious angel dog Maddie. John loved his children and grandchildren, along with his 1948 Chrysler, 1988 Cadillac.

Sidney Ward Smith

Sid was born on June 6, 1939, in Fort Worth, Texas. He passed away on August 20, 2026, in Chelsea, Michigan, after a long illness. He was the first child born to Frank and Mary Smith. A few years later, the Smith family moved to California. Sid grew up in the Bay Area and graduated from Hillsdale High School in 1957. He began his college career at General Motors Institute. After a year, he decided to enlist in the U. S. Army in 1962. His three-year enlistment included a tour on duty in Sinop, Turkey. After his discharge, he returned to college and graduated from San Jose State University with a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering. After graduating, he found work at General Electric Nuclear in San Jose, California. He enjoyed his thirteen years at GE Nuclear, but decided to move to S. Levy, Inc., a nuclear consulting firm in Cupertino, California.

Barbara Brown Zikmund

Barbara Brown Zikmund
1939 - 2026

Barbara Brown Zikmund was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on October 16, 1939. She was the daughter of Henry D. And Helen (Langworthy) Brown, formerly of Albion, Michigan. She attended Mumford High School and was active in Mayflower Congregational Church, both in Detroit.

She graduated from Beloit College in 1961, intending to pursue a career in Christian ministry. She earned a Bachelor of Divinity in 1964 and a Ph.D. in American Church History in 1969 from Duke University. She was ordained in the United Church of Christ upon completing her B.D. degree.

After leaving Duke she taught at Albright College, Temple University, Ursinus College, and Albion College.

Joyce Lorine Vogel

Joyce Lorine Vogel, 97, of North Port, Florida, formerly of Punta Gorda, Florida, and Chelsea, Michigan, passed away Tuesday, May 5, 2026. She was born July 22, 1928, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the only child of Milton Bernard Hoffman and Lorine Mildred Haist Hoffman.

Joyce grew up on her family’s farm near Chelsea, began school in a one-room schoolhouse, and graduated from Chelsea High School at 16. There, Lewis “Phil” Vogel watched her play basketball and told a friend she was the girl he was going to marry. He was right. They wed July 3, 1948, and were married for 54 years. While Phil studied engineering at the University of Michigan, Joyce worked at an Ann Arbor bank and was proud to become its first woman teller. She later devoted herself to raising their daughters, Martha, Linda and Gretchen.

Christine “Chris” Marie Gabel

Christine “Chris” Marie Gabel of Dearborn, Michigan, age 76, went to be with the Lord Monday, August 10, 2026, at her home. She was born June 29, 1950, in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Leo Mark and Frances Angeline (Yura) Roddy.

Chris graduated from Lowrey High School in Dearborn, class of 1968. She worked for AM General as an Executive Secretary for many years. When Chris was younger, she enjoyed riding motorcycles and rode all the way to Florida. She was a caring and passionate person.

Charlotte Graves Simmons

Charlotte Graves Simmons of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Ann Arbor, Adrian, Clinton, Ferndale, Milford, Carleton, Linden, and Highland, age 98, passed away Saturday, August 8, 2026, at the Chelsea Retirement Community. She was born November 2, 1927, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the daughter of Raymond H. & Marion Frances (Graves) Wint.

Charlotte was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and was active in various roles including pastor's wife, choir director, choir member, accompanist, UMW officer, and Sunday School teacher. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Adrian College and taught early elementary in public school for eighteen years. She also taught Suzuki piano. Charlotte was active in the Chelsea Retirement Community volunteering in the library, serving on the Residents Council, and participating in women's study groups. She and James were active in many social groups associated with the church, as well as Meals on Wheels and LEAC. Charlotte and James received the Adrian College Alumni Service Award and J.A. Baughman Church History Award. Charlotte enjoyed playing the piano, reading and knitting.

Norma Mae Gwinn Kumbier

Norma Mae Gwinn Kumbier of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Livonia, Caro, and Caseville, age 98, passed away Sunday, August 9, 2026, at Silver Maples of Chelsea. She was born March 8, 1928, in Caseville Township, Michigan, the daughter of Allan S. & Mae Elizabeth (Thick) Gwinn.

Norma attended Hayes School and Pigeon Rural Agricultural School, graduating in 1946. She attended Central Michigan University, Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, and Western Michigan University. Norma was a member of the Sigma Tau Delta. She worked as a school librarian for Cass City Public Schools and Livonia Public Schools. She enjoyed being in book clubs. She was a board member of the Harold & Carolyn Robison Foundation for 50 years; and was active in every church she attended throughout her life: Hayes United Methodist Church in Pigeon, Caro United Methodist Church, Rosedale Gardens Presbyterian Church in Livonia, and more recently, St. Paul United Church of Christ in Chelsea.