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Vale Salkauskas

Vale Salkauskas of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Manchester, age 79, passed away Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at the Chelsea Retirement Community Kresge Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. She was born September 21, 1946, in Lubeck, Germany, the daughter of Leo and Bronislava (Astrauskas) Rutkauskas.

Vale was a wonderful cook. She loved to cook, bake and feed everyone that came across her path, including her friends at the Pines. If you ever stopped in to see Vale, you left with a full stomach or a bag with some wonderful snacks in it. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting and crafting. Vale loved doing craft shows with her family and friends. She was an adoring grandmother and loved her grandchildren to no end. Her paying job was being a nurse, but it never ended there. She was a nurse to the very end. Vale loved to take care of people and had the biggest, caring heart. Even when the MS took away her ability to walk, she was always taking care of people. Vale was an amazingly caring, wonderful woman who made a big impression on a lot of people's lives.

Joy Renee Sexton

born July 13, 1973 in Detroit was set free from the bonds of this earthly life on Sept 10, 2025. Left to remember her amazing but shortened life are her daughter Kynze Gilbert (19), her stepson Ken D. Gilbert (25), sister Chelsea Plymale, brother Ian Kummer, nephew Paul Heck, and her parents Lorin and Joseph Kummer. She leaves behind many other caring family members and dear friends. Her last few years found her also surrounded by devoted health care workers who were essential to her well-being during her illness and disability.

Robert Joseph Beaudoin, Jr.

Robert Joseph Beaudoin, Jr. of Brighton, Michigan, formerly of Detroit, Garden City, and Chelsea, age 87, passed away Sunday, November 2, 2025, at Four Chaplains Nursing Care Center in Westland, Michigan. He was born August 15, 1938, in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Robert Joseph and Ann Barbara (Hyduk) Beaudoin, Sr.

Robert served as a Master Sargent in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves, where he was a rifle instructor. He retired from Ford Motor Company as a Traffic Analyst in 1995. Robert was a master swimmer, swim coach, swim referee, and swim teacher.

Gail Disbrow Esty

of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of New Jersey, and Florida,

beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at the age of 85. She was born August 29, 1939, in Keyport, New Jersey, the daughter of Harvey G. and Ruth (Disbrow) Hartman.

Gail was a member of Farmington/Ann Arbor Unitarian Universalist. She received her undergraduate degree from Hood College and her MSW from Wayne State University. In 1979, she was one of the first to join FirstStep, a shelter for domestic violence. She continued in private social work practice for 20 years. Gail loved to learn and explore other world religions. She and her husband loved to travel.

Robin Lee Boyer

Robin Lee Boyer of Chelsea, Michigan, age 69, passed away Sunday, October 26, 2025, at Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital surrounded by family. He was born April 28, 1956, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the son of Laurence Harold and Laureta Elaine (Williams) Boyer.

Robin graduated from Chelsea High School in 1974, and then from Washtenaw Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Electrical Engineering. Robin started working at the age of 17. He was a coordinator with an eye for details and was technically oriented. He built many computers and loved cutting-edge technology. Robin worked many years as a Technician Engineer at Chrysler. He wrote instructional manuals and was very proud to have been part of the Viper Project. He retired from Chrysler in 2007. Robin liked learning the history of Chelsea, and helped build the Chelsea Historical Society. He enjoyed genealogy and played a part in gathering information for Ancestry.com. Robin contributed to Mayo Clinic’s research and helped with the development of the protocol and treatment for Nephrotic Syndrome. In his retirement, he enjoyed many hobbies. Robin grew cacti and succulents and was featured in the Chelsea Newspaper for his gardens and fairy gardens. He enjoyed photography, bird watching, practicing Yoga and recently found joy in freshwater aquariums. Robin had a big heart, he loved creating things that sparked joy in others, like building swing sets and Duplo™ structures for his grandchildren.