Rev. James "Jim" Henry Maxwell

Rev. James “Jim” Henry Maxwell, 86 years old, born January 25, 1939, passed away on November 5, 2025, in Chelsea, Michigan.

Born to Frank “Donald” and Letitia “Pat” Maxwell, Jim was raised in Yonkers, New York. He attended Gordon High School. A lifelong athlete, he played basketball (“infamously” once at Madison Square Gardens), and was an avid runner until his legs no longer could carry him that way. While attending Columbia University, he served as captain of the track team and completed his undergraduate studies. He also enjoyed tennis well into his 70s—still managing to win the occasional game even after adopting a cane on the court. Following college, Jim responded to a call to serve God, amending plans to go into engineering, instead completing a master’s degree in divinity at Virginia Theological Seminary. After ordination as an Episcopal priest, Jim’s first church assignment placed him in Covington, Kentucky, where he met Martha May “Mardi” Maxwell, the daughter of the Rector. She became the love of his life, and together they shared 60 years of marriage. They moved to Philadelphia in 1967, where they welcomed their three children: Stephen (1968), Timothy (1970), and Debra (1972).

Richard “Andy” Joseph Hasenkamp

Julie Ann Deppner

of Kalamazoo, MI, formerly of Chelsea, MI, age 57, passed away after an accident on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Corewell Hospital in Grand Rapids. She was born on September 11, 1968, in Pontiac, Michigan, the daughter of Albert Floyd & Gari June (Foster) Monroe. 

Julie grew up in Clarkston, MI where she developed a love for music and theater.  She played trumpet in the high school jazz band and starred in many musicals, including Oklahoma!, where she played Aunt Eller.  After graduating from Clarkston High School, Julie went to Central Michigan to become a math teacher.  She began her career at Holly Middle School, then went to Chelsea School District as a high school math teacher. She later became an assistant principal at Beach Middle School and then principal at Chelsea High School followed by assistant superintendent from 2012 - 2016.  In 2016, Julie retired from the Chelsea School District and became the CEO of Silver Maples in Chelsea, serving there until 2024, when she became President/CEO of Heritage Community of Kalamazoo.

David Duane “Turk” Layher

David Duane “Turk” Layher of Chelsea, Michigan, age 70, passed away Friday, December 12, 2025, at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor. He was born June 20, 1955, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the son of Duane Earl and Shirley Ann (Toney) Layher.

Turk graduated from Chelsea High School in 1973. He worked at Chrysler Proving Grounds in Chelsea, and bought Smith's Towing in 1982, which he owned until 2020. Turk was a member of the Our Savior Lutheran Church in Chelsea, the Chelsea Rod & Gun Club, and volunteered with the Chelsea Fair. He loved going up north to his cabin, hunting, fishing and enjoyed making maple syrup. Turk was stubborn and grouchy, but had a good heart.