Obituaries

Elizabeth Ann ”Beth” Cowen

of Ypsilanti, MI, Formerly of North Carolina & Clarkston, MI, age 67, died March 31, 2021 in Ypsilanti, MI. She was born April 28, 1953 in Cleveland, Ohio, the daughter of James H. and Barbara L. (Krem) Cowen.  Beth lived an adventurous life and had wide ranging interests and skills. In high school, she was a standout athlete and became the first woman at Clarkston to have her basketball jersey retired. She continued playing basketball and field hockey at Central Michigan University while earning a teaching degree. After graduation, Beth embarked upon a variety of careers in Michigan, California, Florida, and North Carolina, including teaching and coaching, residential construction, raising greyhounds, working in health care as a hemodialysis technician, and her favorite passion, as an artist and painter under the name Elisheva Channah. She enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid gardener, always providing amazing produce to friends and family. Beth had a strong faith in God.

Mary Louise Birchmeier

of Dexter, Michigan, age 74, died Thursday, March 25, 2021 at Chelsea Retirement Community. She was born January 28, 1947 in Stockbridge, Michigan, the daughter of Raymond and Martha (Hollister) Cosgray.
Mary graduated from Pinckney High School in 1965 and then attended a semester at Kalamazoo College. Mary attended the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Jackson. She worked at the Dexter A & W for a couple of years. Mary loved horses, and had an indoor arena to board them.

Robert Orlando Hughes

OBITUARIO Robert Hughes

We mourn the loss of our beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and dear friend, Robert Orlando Alvarez Hughes, who died Sunday, January 31, 2021, at the age of 26. Born October 5, 1994 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Robert was the son of Laura Josefina Alvarez and Bret Anthony Hughes and brother to Gregory Luis Hughes. Robert’s smile, love of people and positive energy will be greatly missed. He was a truly kind soul; his bright smile was matched by a sparkle in his eyes, prompting his family to call him "Sparky." Throughout his life, including as a young child, he loved to be around people, particularly among his large extended family. He was proud of his Venezuelan heritage and was known by many as "Roberto." Despite great physical distance, he maintained close bonds with his extended family members, some of whom stayed at the Hughes house for months at a time.

Rodney Owen Craig

of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Ann Arbor, age 73, died Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Chelsea after a long illness. He was born June 25, 1947 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the son of Gerald & Esther (Gillespie) Craig.

Rod graduated from Pioneer High School in 1966, and Washtenaw Community College in 1970. He graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelors in social work. Rod did inmate counseling, substance abuse counseling, and probation counseling from 1974-1983. He had been a Youth Education Director at Zion Lutheran Church from 1983-1994. Rod was the owner of Rod's Diner in Ann Arbor from 1994-2003, and he enjoyed staying in touch with many of the youth throughout their lives. He was an active member of Chelsea First United Methodist Church, and served as a confirmation mentor.