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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 & Marion Francis (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 in 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.

Neva Ann Bus

Neva Ann Bus of Chelsea, Michigan, age 82, passed away Sunday, July 12, 2026, at Vibrant Life Senior Living in Ypsilanti. She was born January 20, 1944, in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of Andre and Neva (Ullery) Bus.

Neva attended Randolph-Macon College in Lynchburg, Virgina, and then earned her Master's Degree in Microbiology from the University of Michigan. She worked as a Microbiologist at the U of M Hospital for many years, and then part-time until she retired. Neva loved raising dogs. She and her dogs competed in Dog Flyball and she was a Dog Agility Instructor and Dog Behaviorist Consultant. She owned a cottage on Gun Lake and liked water skiing. In recent years, she looked forward to Thursday nights when she would go to Smokehouse 52. Neva was a people person and attended many churches throughout the years where she enjoyed the social times and music.

Martha "Mardi" May Maxwell

Martha “Mardi” May Maxwell of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Ferndale, Michigan, age 85, passed away Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at the Chelsea Retirement Community in Glazier Commons. She was born on December 14, 1940, in Xenia, Ohio, the daughter of Rev. O. Worth and Catherine May. Her great spirit of survival was exposed early in the wake of her premature birth, weighing in at under two pounds.

Mardi grew up in Beckley, West Virgina, with her parents and three younger sisters. After graduating high school, she pursued higher education, earning her bachelor's degree from Duke University, and master's degrees from Case Western before embarking upon her career in social work. Mardi was married to Rev. James “Jim” Henry Maxwell who preceded her in death on November 5, 2025. Mardi was introduced to Jim when he began his ministry as assistant to Rev. May (Mardi’s father) at Trinity Episcopal Church in Covington, Kentucky. Mardi and Jim merged their lives easily with shared dedication to serving others in need, and through love of family and their faith in God. Mardi and Jim were married in 1965 and last year they celebrated 60 years of marriage together. Over the years, Mardi moved with Jim as he was called to serve in different churches (Philadelphia, Pocono’s), until finally settling in Ferndale, Michigan (1978). Having stayed home with her children previously, in 1980, Mardi returned to work with those in need, first working with developmentally disabled residents of Wayne County, then pregnant teens (through Catholic Social Services) and finally with at-risk children at the Children’s Home of Detroit.

Dana Jo-Mary Allan

Dana Jo-Mary Allan, of Grass Lake, Michigan, formerly of Scio Township, Michigan passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at Henry Ford Jackson Hospital at the age of 70. She was born on June 5, 1956, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Raymond Charles Tomshack and Laura Helen (Bergl) Dobranski.

Dana lived a life filled with kindness, compassion, and love for others. She had a caring heart and was always willing to lend a helping hand, whether checking on a neighbor, baking for a fundraiser, creating handmade items for a cause, or simply offering a smile and a listening ear. She had a special way of making people feel loved and appreciated.

After graduating high school, Dana began her career with the State of Michigan at Michigan Rehabilitation after being recruited directly out of high school. She later worked as a medical secretary in several physicians’ offices before joining the team at Waterloo Village Market. No matter where she worked, Dana was known for her warmth, dedication, and genuine care for those around her.

Patricia Ann Thomas

Patricia Ann Thomas of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Ann Arbor, and Whitmore Lake, age 81, passed away Sunday, July 12, 2026, at the Chelsea Retirement Community. She was born December 21, 1944, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the daughter of William Edwin and Adeline Marie (Shanahan) Rowan, Jr.

Patricia graduated from Ann Arbor Pioneer High School, class of 1963. She attended both the Faith Baptist Church in Chelsea, and Dexter Gospel Church. She worked in Food Service at the University of Michigan. Patricia had a lifelong love of singing and Patsy Cline. Her karaoke friends and family fondly called her “Patsy.” Patricia was a spark of sunshine, always with a big smile that lit up a room. She was a people person and cared deeply for others, putting them before herself.

Norman Lee Somers

Norman “Norm” Somers, age 87, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 10, 2026, at Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC). He was born on August 13, 1938, in Elk Rapids, Michigan, to Richard Ivan and Doris Ellen (Davis) Somers.

To know Norm was to know someone who found joy in the simple things, never met a stranger, and always had another story to tell. He believed life was meant to be lived with gratitude, laughter, and kindness. One of his favorite sayings summed him up perfectly: “Sadness is not part of my dictionary—joy and happiness are.” Those words weren’t just something he said—they were the way he lived.

Norm graduated from Northville High School in 1956 and earned his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Ferris Institute in 1961. But before settling into his lifelong career, he chased a dream. In the spring of 1957, he signed on as a Great Lakes Seaman, working aboard iron ore freighters, including the J.P. Morgan Jr. The Lakes gave him adventures and stories that he shared as a Snipit in life.