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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.

John Richard Brookes, Jr.

Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Ithaca, New York, age 80, passed away Monday, February 17, 2025, at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor. He was born March 12, 1944, in Caledonia, New York, the son of John R. and Dorothy (Bidwell) Brookes.

John graduated from Harvard University in 1970, with his A.B. Degree in Biochemistry, with a focus in Thermodynamics. He collaborated on projects at MIT and Stanford University. John loved inventing things and solving problems. He was a principal in a startup that went public in 1975, with Southwall Technologies on the stock exchange. He developed a neural network application for breast cancer surgery. Described at the National Institutes of Health, this was John's first neural network artificial intelligence application in medicine.

Ruby Marie Sams

of Grass Lake, Michigan, formerly of Harrison, age 76, went to be with the Lord Sunday, February 16, 2025, at Henry Ford Jackson Hospital. She was born August 17, 1948, in Lansing, Michigan, the daughter of Earl Clair and Donna Belle Mae (McCluth) VanNatter.

Ruby worked for Pilot Industries in Dexter, for many years. She attended Page Avenue Baptist Church in Jackson, where she was baptized in 2010. Ruby enjoyed cooking and trying new recipes, camping, doing puzzles, dancing, and listening to country music. She loved her pets, spending time with her family, and having family cookouts. Ruby will be remembered fondly as feisty and defiant to the end.

Genendal Kornexl

of Chelsea, Michigan, age 84, died Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at her home in Chelsea. She was born April 6, 1940, in McDougal, Arkansas, the daughter of Silas Robert and Claudeen (Herring) Bolen. 

Genendal graduated from Corning High School in Corning, Arkansas. She was a member of Salem Grove United Methodist Church in Grass Lake. Genendal worked at Polly's as a cashier for 15 years. 

Rosemary Alexander-Jones

of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Port Huron, Livonia, West Bloomfield, and Canton/Plymouth, age 90, died Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at Chelsea Retirement Community. She was born November 12, 1934, in Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of William & Sadie Flowerday (Tapley).

Rosemary grew up in Michigan. She earned her master’s degree in early childhood education from Oakland University and taught at Isbister Elementary School in the Plymouth/Canton public schools for 27 years. Rosemary was an active member of the Plymouth First United Methodist Church from 1985 to 2016, and the Chelsea First United Methodist Church since 2016. She enjoyed crafts of many kinds and was a talented pianist.

Richard Tyrone Stebelton

of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Detroit, age 84, passed away Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at his home in Grand Haven under hospice care. He was born February 26, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Kirby Lurch Stebelton and Ruby Lera (Elliot) Stebelton.

Richard graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Lawrence Institute of Technology in 1961 and worked at the Chrysler Proving Grounds for 33 years as a Development Engineer and Pre-Vehicle Launch Test Supervisor. When not working he liked to putter around in his garage, go to garage sales and occasionally go fishing. He was also a member of Immanuel Bible Church in Chelsea and served as a deacon for many years.