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Cole Funeral Chapel is a family-owned funeral home committed to caring for your family.   An independent funeral home in Chelsea, Michigan, our mission is to meet your needs whatever they may be. We provide a wide range of services, from sitting down with you to discuss future needs to grief counseling after the death of a loved one.
 
Our funeral home was founded in 1898, and was purchased by Donald Cole in 1977.  His son, Allen, bought the funeral home from his father in 1999, continuing the tradition of service to the Chelsea area.
 
We know that making funeral arrangements can be difficult, so let us help you every step of the way.  We have a professional staff equipped with many resources that can provide assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Please feel free to call anytime, or e-mail us at staff @ ColeFuneralChapel.com

Recent Obituaries

Richard Emil Kuelske

Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Flint, Saginaw, and Rochester Hills.  Age 87, died Wednesday, April 17, 2024, under the care of Arbor Hospice. He was born March 5, 1937, in Saginaw, Michigan, the son of Emil August and Catherine “Elizabeth” (Gross) Kuelske.

Richard attended Jordan Elementary and Christ Lutheran Schools in Saginaw, and then graduated from Arthur Hill High School in 1955. He earned his bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from General Motors Institute (now Kettering). Richard retired in 2001, after 45 years with General Motors working in Saginaw and Flint, and then Detroit and Warren, where he was promoted to manage power plants across the country. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Rochester before moving to Chelsea, and then Our Savior Lutheran Church in Chelsea since 2011. Richard belonged to Jaycees and was on the County Commission for Saginaw County. Richard enjoyed photography, and had a wedding photography business. He also enjoyed bike riding, fishing, hunting, playing basketball, and woodworking.

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Wallace R. Gravelyn

Wallace Roy Gravelyn, 99 years young, passed away on Good Friday, March 29, 2024. He was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, one of 9 brothers. His mother died in childbirth. In the midst of the depression, he learned to become self-reliant. He enlisted in the Air Force in World War II, completing 40 missions in a B-24 over Romania, Hungary, and Germany. After the war, he enlisted in the Michigan National Guard rising to the rank of Captain.

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Patsy "Pat" Ruth Hentz

of Ann Arbor, Michigan, age 92, was called home to be with the Lord Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at her home under hospice care, surrounded by her family. She was born September 18, 1931, in Pontiac, Michigan, the daughter of Aubury and Ruth (Mattison) Whitfield.

Pat graduated from Ann Arbor High School, class of 1949. She worked as a secretary at many places including Mitchell School in Ann Arbor for many years. She worked for Creative Circle and sold Tupperware. Pat was a long-term member of Bethlehem United Church of Christ in Ann Arbor, where she was active in the Members Care Committee, the “King's Daughters” group, and a church knitting group. She knit scarves for veterans, hats for newborns, and cancer patients, and prayer shawls. Pat and Gary spent many years traveling in their trailer with their camping group, the “Pleasure Seekers”; and were snowbirds, going to Florida for the winters. Pat had a very big heart and loved to give.

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Elaine Marie (Killey) Winton

Elaine Marie (Killey) Winton passed peacefully into our good Lord’s hands on February 23, 2024. She was 83 years old. She loved deeply, and she was truly loved.
 
Elaine’s smiling presence was legendary. It lit up anyone who paused to notice, and it drew them back to her just to see it again. And if you were lucky, that smile would melt into an indelible ‘I love you’, which were the enduring words she shared openly to everyone near her in her final days.
Her love was imbued by calm, abiding, and graceful presence. She loved nurturing and giving tours of her beautiful gardens. She made the best Christmas sugar cookies on the planet. She delighted in traveling all over the world with her loving husband, and she savored boat cruising as the ultimate first mate.
And above all, she loved our Creator very deeply and unfailingly. She is now smiling and dancing in heaven, making a place for anyone to join her. Read more ...

Kathleen "Kitty" Koch

of Chelsea, Michigan, age 78, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at Chelsea Hospital. She was born June 30, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Gaylord J. And Mildred Amy (Haan) Waun.
 
Kitty graduated from Parochial High School in Detroit. She moved to Chelsea in 1976. Kitty was a Bus Driver for the Chelsea School District for many years, and then drove for High Point School. After retiring, Kitty provided respite care for the handicapped and traveled extensively with Gary. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Chelsea, and loved spending time with her family and friends.
 
Kitty married Gary Koch on August 30, 1997. He preceded her in death on December 16, 2020. She is survived by her sons, Todd Hamel of Chelsea, Robert Hamel of Chelsea; daughter, Laurie (Troy) Schiller of Chelsea; step-sons, Kevin (Sharon) Koch of Ann Arbor, Jason Koch; step-daughters, Jennifer (Doug) Groves of Grass Lake, and Julie (Riley) Holtz of Adrian; and nine grandchildren, Kyle, Cody, and Chad Schiller, Nicholas Baltzell and Lorelai Houk, Ryan and Alyssa Groves, Emmalee Koch, William Holtz, and another on the way; and sister, Diane Dillard. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; and nine siblings.
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Noal James Brown

of Dexter, Michigan, formerly of Ann Arbor, age 85, died Sunday, April 7, 2024, at Wellbridge of Pinckney. He was born July 23, 1938, in Corning, Arkansas, the son of Troy Melvin and Margurite Maxine (Bennett) Brown.

Noal worked at the University of Michigan for 42 years, as a Supervisor for the University stores. He was the President of the Chelsea Rod and Gun Club for 2 years. Noal enjoyed golfing and played at Radrick Farms Golf Course in Ann Arbor every Wednesday. He made bluebird feeders and houses and sold them at the Chelsea Farmer's Market.

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Alice Catherine Walz

Age 95, died Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at University Living in Ann Arbor. She was born June 6, 1928 in Dexter, Michigan, the daughter of J. Arthur & Hannah (Dewell) Lovell.
 
Alice graduated Valedictorian from Dexter High School in 1946, then attended Michigan State Normal College earning her bachelor's degree in Special Education for deaf and hard of hearing. She spent 10 years teaching in Kalamazoo and Jackson. Alice then worked for her husband Bob at his Marathon Oil distribution company. She was active in St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Chelsea. Alice was a member of the Eastern Star. She enjoyed crossword puzzles.