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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.

Wilma (Farley) Picklesimer

Wilma PicklesimerWilma (Farley) Picklesimer, a long-time Chelsea resident, went to be with the Lord March 22, 2018 after a short illness.  She was born in Loyall, Kentucky, January 6, 1927, the eighth and last child of Nancy (Bingham) and Carter Howard Farley.  She attended and was a member of Immanuel Bible Church in Chelsea, Michigan for many years.  She won Homemaker of the Year at Chelsea Community Fair in 1990 and 1991.  She was a life-time member of and volunteered with Chelsea Community Hospital Auxiliary for several decades in the gift shop and sewing circle. She was a life-time member of VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 423 and former member of Post 4076. Additionally, she was a home-health aide for Individualized Home Care Services. In 1995, she and her husband, Mitchell Picklesimer, Sr., received the Volunteer of the Year award from Faith in Action, in Chelsea. Wilma volunteered at Chelsea Retirement Community.

Robert "Bob" W. Rice

Age 77, passed away after a hard fight against a glioblastoma brain tumor, Saturday, March 17, 2018 in Chelsea, Michigan.  His kindness and mild demeanor was maintained until the end. Bob is survived by his wife, Cathy, his three daughters, Brenda (Bryan), Carrie (Jason), Dawna; seven grandchildren, Amanda, Jacob, Carly (Cameron), Cassidy, Lydia, Paige, and Caden; and four great-grandchildren, Brailynn, Owen, Landon and Bennett. He is also survived by his sisters, Eleanor (Robert) and Carolyn and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Marjorie, and his brother Edwin. He will be missed very much by his family and friends.

Betty Helen Plasterer

of Pinckney, MI, age 77, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, March 12, 2018 at her daughter’s home. She was born September 5, 1940 in Dansville, Michigan, the daughter of Emil & Minnie (Serenson) Zaske. Betty was a selfless mother who always put others before herself. She was a consummate peacemaker who was always smiling and always positive, with a sense of humor that would never stop. Betty worked behind the scenes, never seeking glory.  Betty took care of many people, from babies to hospice. She enjoyed gardening and the outdoors, square dancing, sewing, traveling, and driving the church bus. She was the cool grandma who took her grandchildren on new adventures.

Ermil Jones

of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Monroe & Belleville, age 88, passed away Saturday, March 17, 2018 at Chelsea Retirement Community. He was born March 3, 1930 in Owosso, Michigan, the son of Alvin & Edith Mary (Green) Jones. Ermil graduated from Monroe High School in 1948, and from Adrian College in 1952 with a history major and political science and math minors, earning his Secondary School Teaching Certificate.  He earned two Master’s degrees from the University of Michigan, one in 1954 (History) and one in 1972 (School Administration).  He spent  23 years at Van Buren Public Schools in Belleville and 10 years at Jefferson Schools in Monroe.  In addition to teaching, Ermil sold life insurance for Columbus Mutual Life Insurance Company, did custodial and maintenance work for four summers for Van Buren School District, spent two summers at Ford Motor Company, and worked for Sears in the credit department and customer service.

Edith "Edie" Mary Knapp-Willoughby

Edie KnappEdie passed away peacefully at home on Friday March 9th, 2018. She was born Nov. 8th, 1924 in Traverse City MI, daughter of John J. Sutton and Susan Bradford Sutton. After graduating from West Branch high school in 1943, Edie worked for the Bell Telephone Co. She later graduated from Western Union Business School in Crawfordsville IN. She moved to Ypsilanti MI and worked at the Western Union office and soon met and married Donald Knapp. Don passed away on April 1st 1985. In 1999 she married Dr. Robert Willoughby, he passed in August of 2011. Edie was also preceded in death by her parents, her brother John Sutton Jr. and infant twin sons John and James Knapp.