Obituaries

Therese Marie Scharphorn

of Chelsea, Michigan, age 91, died Saturday, March 4, 2023 at Legacy Assisted Living in Jackson. She was born August 25, 1931 in Chelsea, Michigan, the daughter of Emmett Matthew and Oleta Freida (Hutzel) Hankerd.  Therese grew up in Chelsea, and was a Beta Sigma Phi member. She worked for thirty-five years at the Federal Screw Work as a purchasing agent. Therese was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church choir until age 85.  Therese was very active and enjoyed being outdoors on their farm. She and her sisters often gathered to create delicious preserves from the garden. Therese was a skilled quilter, making many beautiful quilts, which she shared with most of her nieces and nephews. Their farm included an airstrip and hanger, allowing her and David to make many trips across the country in their private plane.

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George A. Merkel

of Chelsea, Michigan, age 93, died Thursday, February 23, 2023, at Chelsea Retirement Community. George was born on June 6, 1929, to Joseph and Florence (Latreille Doll) Merkel in a farmhouse across from the present-day Chrysler Proving Ground. In 1948, he married Nancy Ellen Clark, and their union lasted for the next 62 years, until death separated George from the love of his life. Together, George and Nancy parented seven children.

George began life as a farm boy, but tried his hand at many occupations over the years. To support his large family, George hauled milk from farm to dairy, drove a semi, owned a service station, owned a bar, and eventually returned to farming, an occupation which he enthusiastically continued until a stroke forced him into retirement at the age of 88. Even after his debilitating stroke, George lived to farm again. Years after his stroke, although he was completely bed-bound, he spent his time dreaming of the crops he’d plant “next spring”. He was proud to be named as the Farmer of the Year at the Washtenaw County Agriculture Banquet in 2018. The same year, he received a Recognition Award from St. Louis Center.

Wanda L. Conner

of Grass Lake, Michigan, age 80, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at her home with her family at her side. She was born January 2, 1943, in Ypsilanti, MI, the daughter of Harley “Vern” and Josephine Betty (Green) English.

Wanda was a member of New Harvest Church (formerly Chelsea Free Methodist) and worked as the church secretary for 16 years from 1983-2000. She also served in the Sunday school nursery, and baby sat for Mastering Motherhood and she was active in Susie's Shawls. Wanda worked at a shop on Main St. in Chelsea called County Craftique. Wanda loved to read, crochet, and garden. She and Richard enjoyed traveling and visited Europe, Alaska, the Caribbean, and most of the U.S. They also lived in Southeast Asia during Richard's military years.

Webb Douglas Seegert

 of  Manchester, MI, age 86, died Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at his home. He was born May 24, 1936 in Toledo, Ohio, the son of Theodore Peter and Phyllis Lou (Wadsworth) Seegert.  Webb graduated from Petersburg (Summerfield) High School in 1954. He worked at Chrysler for 34 years in Vehicle Impact and was a member of the UAW Local 1284. Webb was a member of the Manchester United Methodist Church and the President of Manchester Family Service. He enjoyed gospel music.