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Obituaries

These obituaries are listed in order from newest to oldest.  If you want to look for a specific obituary, just type the last name in the search bar (at the top of this article).  You can click here to sign up to receive obituaries by e-mail.

Dean William DeVoe, Sr.

of Stockbridge, Michigan, formerly of Chelsea, age 81, passed away Sunday, May 18, 2025, from heart failure. He was at home with the support of his family and hospice services. He was born August 30, 1943, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the son of Arthur William and Viola Winifred (Burnett) DeVoe.

Dean grew up on a farm in Dexter, MI which he helped run with his siblings. After graduation he enlisted in the Air Force and was a Vietnam veteran. He served as an Aircraft Pneudraulic Technician and was stationed at Bentwaters Base, in England, and traveled to other countries to repair planes. Once discharged, Dean was a Machinist at Dana Corporation for 30 years. During the evenings and weekends, he enjoyed farming, gardening, fishing, fixing cars and being outside. He loved to work and made it a point to keep his 6 kids busy taking care of animals, maintaining an enormous garden, repairing and, or building anything necessary. After retirement, he traveled to Alaska, and multiple other states to prospect for gold with the Lost Dutchman Association. Over the last couple of years, it was hard for him to walk because of a broken back sustained in 1978. He kept his mind active by attending family events, reading books about history, wars, and homeopathic remedies, (we were well informed about fluoride, before RFK Jr. mentioned it), and even took up playing harmonica.

Antonius "Tom" Vandervoort

of Chelsea, Michigan, passed away peacefully on May 11, 2025. He was 92 years young, born on April 13, 1933, in Sassenheim, Netherlands.

Known to all as Tom, he lived life to the fullest, living by the motto "work hard, play hard." Tom's passion for hockey was a lifelong affair, and he continued to play himself well into his 70s. He was the life of the party, a natural entertainer who loved to dance and had an uncanny ability to make people laugh. Tom's warm and engaging personality meant he was cherished by many, and there wasn't a person who didn't enjoy his company.

John “Jack” Edward Simpson

of Jackson, Michigan, formerly of Chelsea, age 87, passed quickly Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Henry Ford Hospital in Jackson, Michigan. He was born June 15, 1937, in Yreka, California, the son of Franklin Arnold and Grace Elizabeth (Paul) Simpson.
 
Jack moved to Whitmore Lake, from Oakland, California, when he was 9 years old. He attended high school in Ann Arbor, before joining the workforce. Jack worked many jobs, including Heydlauff Appliances and maintenance and repair work at Central Fiber in Chelsea, before moving east where he worked in Lake Placid. He then moved on to become Head Facilities Operator at Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont. Jack was a 32nd Degree Mason and Past Master. He belonged to the Rescue Lodge #772 in Crown Point, New York, and Mount Defiance Lodge #794 in Ticonderoga, NY. Jack loved to play cribbage and could often be seen playing at Seitz’s Tavern.

Jean Schmidt

Our mom calmly passed away on Tuesday, May 13, with an independent personality that continued until her final day.

She was born January 8, 1929, to Lynn William and Viola Marie (Nellis) Eisenbeiser in Jackson, Michigan, and was raised in the country near North Lake. She attended a one room country school - ‘Pumpkin College’ and graduated from Chelsea High School with the class of 1946. She was a 1950 grad of Michigan State Normal College with a degree in special education and taught hearing-impaired children at the Upjohn School in Kalamazoo. After raising her children, she returned to teaching fourth grade in the Chelsea Public Schools, retiring in 1985.

Craig "Tim" Ortbring

 

“If you are a chef, no matter how good a chef you are, it's not good cooking for yourself; the joy is in cooking for others”… Will-i-am
 
That was how Tim Ortbring lived his life – for others. Craig Timothy “Chef” Ortbring passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 30th at his home. Cancer claimed Tim’s life but not his legacy.
 
Tim was one of “Those St. Mary’s school kids” in Chelsea up until middle school where he was able to take advantage of his stocky build. Tim was a battering ram style of fullback and had a strong kicking leg that was received by then new CHS Football Coach, Phil Baries. Tim was a rare 4-year varsity letter winner and old #32 made many a game-winning kick during his career at CHS.