Search

Recent Obituaries

Raymond John Sleep

Raymond John Sleep was born in Detroit, Michigan on June 11th, 1931 to Alice (Neish) and John Sleep. He was the eldest of their three boys, including Richard and Ernest.

Ray’s love for literature, writing and learning began at a young age and he loved to teach himself. In childhood, he skipped school to lie on the roof of their Detroit home and read. He and his brothers had many adventures boating and swimming in the Detroit River near Belle Isle. Ray graduated from Southeastern High School in 1949 and went on to Wayne (State) University. He left Wayne University in pursuit of his dream of becoming a writer and moved to Manhattan in 1949 for six weeks, when he ran out of money and claimed, “my pen just wouldn’t write a story”.  

Read more ...

Betty Ann Bock

of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Pittsburgh, PA and Buffalo, New York, age 98, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at Silver Maples of Chelsea. Betty Ann was born August 23, 1926, to John Armstrong Young and Anna Mae (Kelly) Young in Oakdale, Pennsylvania. Betty Ann graduated from Oakdale High School and Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA.

Betty Ann worked in Pittsburgh before her marriage and after the family was raised. She and three friends owned Paper Parade in Plymouth, MI.

She enjoyed flower arranging and the competition of flower shows. She was Past President of the Farmington Garden Club, an Elder in the Presbyterian Church, a reader for the blind, active in PTA and on several committees at Silver Maples. She loved Northern Michigan and especially the Frankfort summer place and the good times with family and friends.

Read more ...

Don Gargaro III

 June 13, 1954– Sept. 15, 2024

After a prolonged illness, Don Gargaro III, 70, died peacefully at home at Ellsworth Lake on Sept. 15, 2024 with his devoted partner, Lynne Spencer, and their sweet dog, Davi, by his side. Born in Detroit, he was the eldest of the late Don II and Joann Gargaro’s six children.

Don was an artist at heart. As a teen, his untrained hand and uncanny perception produced sophisticated sketch caricatures, capturing the essence– visible and invisible– of his subjects mostly his family. He was an avid reader, whose recommendations were typically spot-on. He particularly loved music, ranging from the Chicago blues to the British Invasion to the plaintive soul of the Texas Hill Country. He was an excellent guitar player with a great ear and a deep appreciation for the passion of the musicians whose songs he studied and played. His tastes were cultivated with curiosity and wonder, and his opinions were often unyielding. His musical aesthetic remains an enduring influence on his siblings, nieces, nephews, and friends. Most would agree that their playlists and record collections bear Don’s indelible imprint.

Read more ...

Linda Marie Smith

of Chelsea, Michigan, age 79, passed away Monday, September 16, 2024, at her home. She was born June 25, 1945, in Pontiac, Michigan, the daughter of James M. and Peggy (Edwards) Dickerson.

Linda graduated from Clarkston High School in 1963. She worked as a Computer Tech at Chelsea Hospital, retiring in February of 1998. Linda enjoyed bowling at Chelsea Lanes during the 80's and 90's, and liked to golf. She loved to read and travel with Hank in the RV. Linda and Hank went to St. Augustine, Florida for the last 35 years.

Read more ...

Richard E. Roller

 THE LIFE AND TIMES OF RICHARD E. ROLLER

November 22, 1922 - September 6, 2024
 

  Richard (Dick) Roller was born on November 22, 1922, to Edwin and Maud (Trudeau) Roller. He was one of four children; brothers Bill & Sonny and sister Jane completed the family. Times were tough during the Great Depression and the family lost their home when their Dad was laid off from Ford Motor. During the depression, Dick and his father went to farmers markets to buy food which they delivered in bushel baskets to friends, neighbors and family in need.

  Dick met Marian Kelly in grade school and a lifetime loving bond was created. Dick and Marian were married in 1942, but their early married life was interrupted by WWII. Dick was working as an 18-year-old tool and die apprentice at Ford Motor Company when he and a select group of apprentices were called into a meeting. They were promoted to Foreman and would be supervising a team of women who had never been employed. They were to build B-24 Bombers at the Willow Run plant. Dick continued in this position for a year then decided he needed to aid the war effort in a different way. He left Ford, giving up his war deferment and joined the Merchant Marine. He was sent to New York for training and qualified as a Second Engineer on Liberty ships. He transported military supplies to both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. He was very proud of his wartime service. At the end of the war, he returned to the USA and Marian.

Read more ...

Jeffrey Kermit Hampel

September 24, 1936 to August 8, 2024


Word has been received from Denver of the death of former Chelsea resident, Jeff Hampel age 87.


Jeff owned a Crooked Lake cottage from 1965 to 2005 when he moved to Green Valley AZ and Dillon Colorado. He also had a family home in Troy MI.


Jeff was born in East Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Alford R. Hampel and Mae (Illingworth) Hampel Ralston.


After graduating from Purdue where he was a member of Kappa Delta Rho fraternity, Jeff served in the U.S. Army Security Agency as an analyst intercepting Soviet communications during the Berlin Wall crisis.


Leaving military service, Jeff had a 30 year career as a sales representative for Magic Chef, Litton Microwaves, and Fisher Electronics.

Read more ...

Robert Hamel

 Age 55, passed away Thursday, August 29, 2024 at his sister's house in Chelsea. He was born February 17, 1969 in Garden City, the son of Edward Robert & Kathleen Mae (Waun) Hamel.

Robert graduated from Chelsea High School in 1987.  He was a chef at many restaurants, but was especially known for working at Thompson's Pizza. His colorful character impacted many people.   Robert loved life, enjoying time with friends and family.

Read more ...