Obituaries

Lois Ellena Thurston

Of Grass Lake, Michigan, age 86, passed away Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at Chelsea Retirement Community. She was born April 25, 1936 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the daughter of Lewis & Rita (Tice) Elsifor.

Rodney Worden

Age 74, passed away Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Ann Arbor. He was born December 22, 1948, in Jackson, Michigan, the son of R.V. and Doris K. (Lehman) Worden. Rodney was the older of twin brothers. He lived his first year at his grandparent’s home in Munith, before moving to Chelsea with his family in the 1950's. At the age of 14, he was injured in a sledding accident, leaving him disabled in his right shoulder and arm. Rodney graduated from Chelsea High School in 1967. His disability did not keep him from working over 30 years in janitorial maintenance at Beach Middle School in Chelsea. Rodney spent the last four years at an assisted living facility. He overcame several health issues, but could not overcome a severe infection.

Peter J. Severn

Of Chelsea, Michigan, age 94, died Sunday, January 22, 2023, at his home. He was born December 2, 1928, in Elkton, Michigan, the son of Nelson & Mary Ann (Higgs) Severn.

Hailing from Elkton, a tiny town in the “thumb” of Michigan, Pete was first a state park ranger, and then owner-operator of a service station, before arriving at the U-M in 1960. Pete was one of a handful of master glassblowers maintained on staff by major teaching institutions across the country. During his tenure, Pete created and manufactured glass objects integral to research through the U-M community. His work also provided items used in the world’s first artificial heart transplant as well as in NASA explorations. Pete retired January 31,1991. After retirement, Pete established his own business, a consultancy to various research and development concerns. He loved golf and put together a little series of golf outings for his department at U-M every summer. Pete also enjoyed playing the guitar and was a member of the First United Methodist Church.

Marion Rose Lesniewicz

Of Jackson, Michigan, formerly of Hamburg and Grass Lake, age 96, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 13, 2023 at Legacy Assisted Living in Jackson. She was born June 23, 1926 in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Frank & Sophia (Murski) Stabile. Marion belonged to St. Francis in Ann Arbor, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Ypsilanti, Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Brighton, and St. Mary Catholic Church in Chelsea. Marion worked for Bell-Howell / UMI until she retired about 30 years ago. Marion was a great cook and loved her grandkids.