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Recent Obituaries

Donald Earl Fritz

Donald Earl Fritz of Dexter, Michigan, age 95, went to be with the Lord on Monday, November 9, 2026. He was born January 29, 1931, in Lodi Township, Michigan, the son of William J. and Mary B. (Hysell) Fritz.

Don was very proud that he earned his high school diploma at the age of 59, from Chelsea High School. He worked for Kroger for 38 1/2 years as a meat cutter. Don was a member of the First Assembly of God in Chelsea, and formerly attended the Chelsea Christian Fellowship where he served on the board for 30 years. He enjoyed woodworking and shop work; and loved to travel.

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David Rowe

Long time Chelsea residents will recognize this friendly smile of Dave Rowe.  His family is sad to announce he passed away on November 5th following a courageous battle with coronary artery disease.

David Rowe was born in Ann Arbor to Duane and Virginia Burg Rowe of Chelsea on August 27, 1942.  His great-great-grandparents were early settlers in what became Waterloo, Sylvan and Lyndon townships before Michigan became a state.  He and his two sisters and brother grew up on the family farm on Bush Road learning the value of hard work from their parents and grandparents, a trait that defined him for the rest of his life.  He was a man who truly loved all things farming from watching RFD-TV every night to his special fondness for John Deere tractors.

Dave graduated from Chelsea High School as president of his senior class of 1960 and under his guidance the class celebrated their reunion every five years.  He was co-captain of the powerful CHS football team winning the conference title in 1959.  Also, that year he managed his grandfather Burg’s Dairy Queen located where the Chelsea State Bank now stands. 

Dave met his classmate Joanne Brown when he graduated 8th grade from St. Mary school and transferred to Chelsea High in 9th grade.  They started dating following graduation and married on July 15, 1961.  They became the parents of four sons Dan, John, Darin and Patrick. 

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Madeline Rae Rickman

Madeline Rae Rickman of Chelsea, Michigan, age 85, passed away Sunday, November 8, 2026, at her home. She was born September 15, 1941, in Dickens, Iowa, the daughter of Keith “Pete” Raymond and Marjorie (Clapper) Simington.

Madeline graduated from Gillett Grove High School in 1960, and went on to work as a switchboard operator for Bell Telephone Company in Spencer, Iowa. She later worked as a receptionist at the Ypsilanti Press, and a secretary in the Willow Run Community School District. She was a meticulous record keeper, was well respected, and was known as being very kindhearted. Madeline was an avid reader and always had a couple of books going. She not only had a heart for pets, but also for the wildlife that frequented her backyard. Madeline maintained lifelong friendships, loved visiting her sisters in Iowa, and could always be counted on for a birthday and anniversary card. Family was everything to her. Madeline lived for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

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David “Dave” Frank Busfield

David “Dave” Frank Busfield
April 25, 1946 - November 5, 2026

With heavy hearts, the family of Dave F. Busfield, age 80, announces his passing on November 5, 2026, though we find comfort in knowing he is reunited with his “wifey,” Mary Ann, who preceded him in death on January 18, 2026.

Dave was born on April 25, 1946, to Amos and Dorothy “Dot” (Kimball) Busfield in Allegan, Michigan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a business degree and was proud to say he was a businessman and entrepreneur, owning two successful businesses during his professional career. He and Mary Ann lived their dream of owning a log home on 10 acres, which Dave nurtured into their own private nature preserve. Over the years, he had the satisfaction of watching the dozens of trees he planted as babies grow to towering maturity.

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Rhoda Anne Giebel

Rhoda Anne Giebel died on November 4, 2026. She was 74 years old.

Rhoda was born on July 29, 1952, in Detroit, Michigan, to Richard Emil Giebel and Jean McCombie (Blackwood) Giebel. Rhoda graduated from Cass Technical High School in Detroit in 1971. Rhoda earned a bachelor’s degree at Wayne State University majoring in computer science.

Rhoda began her career as a computer programmer working for The Bell System in Southfield. After positions with several other companies, her last place of employment was with ADP.

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Leo Richards

Leo Richards of Ypsilanti, Michigan, age 79, passed away Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at the Villa at Willow Place in Ypsilanti. He was born February 11, 1947, in Ann Arbor, the son of Royal Lewis “Louie” Richards Sr. and Lavon (Suman) Riplow.

Leo graduated from Pioneer High School in 1965. He served in the US Army from 1968 until 1971. He was a field mechanic, serving in Viet Nam. Leo was a self-employed scrapper and volunteered at the VA Hospital in Ann Arbor. He loved fishing. Leo was a very caring person who helped anybody that he could. He was the life of the party, with a joke and a smile ready to cheer you up.

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Edward Lorenz “Ed” Wenk

of Howard City, Michigan, formerly of Chelsea, age 87, passed away Thursday, October 29, 2026, at The Comfort Home in Reed City. He was born March 17, 1939, in Chelsea, Michigan, the son of Lorenz W. and Ruth M. (Grau) Wenk.

Ed graduated from Chelsea High School in 1957. He served in the US Navy and worked as an Insurance Adjuster for State Farm and Hartford Insurance. Ed enjoyed fly fishing, deer hunting, and duck hunting. Ed was a cantankerous man, but was a great dad.

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