Obituaries

Nancy Sue Kiel

Nancy Sue Kiel (née Van Riper), age 90, passed away peacefully on December 19, 2025, at the Chelsea Retirement Community. Nancy was born on August 5, 1935, in Monroe, Michigan. She married Franklin “Frank” Sweeny in September 1953, and together they raised five beautiful sons. She later married Stanley “Ron” Kiel in April 1993.

Nancy is survived by her children, Ronald (Bethany) Sweeny of Dexter, Rick (Faye) Sweeny of Stockbridge, and Randy (Lisa) Sweeny of Fort White, Florida; and her stepchildren, Ron (Pam) Kiel of Chelsea, Jeff (Shawnda) Kiel of Indian River, Sheryl Kiel (Mike Dayton) of Mattawan, Karen (Doug) Burchett of Chelsea, and David (Carol) Kiel of Benton Harbor. She is also survived by eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers; two sisters; her husbands; and two sons, Rod Sweeny and Ryan Sweeny.

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.

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