Obituaries

Jerald Frisbie

of Jackson, MI, formerly of Chelsea, age 97, passed away peacefully Friday, December 15, 2023, at Legacy Assisted Living in Jackson. He was born October 27, 1926, in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Homer W. & Ruth (Finton) Frisbie.

Jerry graduated from Plymouth High School in 1945. He then attended Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti. He worked as a manager at Wanty Shoes in Ann Arbor for about 30 years, retiring in 1988. He worked more recently at Pierce Lake Golf Course in Chelsea. He loved golfing with his best friend Sam all over Southeast Michigan. He was a member of the Chelsea Senior Citizens, and enjoyed their group trips across the country. Jerry and his wife of 74 years, Donna, especially loved traveling to his beloved “Up North.” He loved spending time with his five daughters, grandchildren, and many longtime friends. His hobby of painting watercolor pictures and notecards will now be cherished by all who received them. Jerry was also known for his quick puns, always ready with a joke for anyone and everyone. This made him popular at Legacy, endearing him to staff and residents alike.

Therese Ann Smoke

Age 89, Therese passed away peacefully at her home in Chelsea, Michigan on Monday, December 11, 2023. Left to cherish her memory are her three children: Mary Therese (Gary) Pilarski; Anne Marie (Bailey Matsuda) Smoke; and Rick (Amy) Smoke; three grandchildren John Pilarski, Hannah (Jake) Asbury, and Thomas (Julia Anderson) Pilarski; one great-grandchild Theodore Asbury; and eight nieces and nephews. Therese shared sixty wonderful years with Henry R. Smoke, Jr., who preceded her in death on December 5, 2021. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Gerard Deziel; and sisters, Norma Deziel, Rita LeBlanc, and Jeannine Strayhorn.

Norman Martin Wacker, Jr.

of Dexter, Michigan, age 91, passed away Sunday, December 10, 2023, at his home. He was born August 25, 1932, in Chelsea, Michigan, the son of Norman Martin and Frances Lucille (Mangus) Wacker, Sr. Norm attended Whitmore Lake High School and was drafted into the US Army when he was 19, serving in Germany. He worked as a Machinist for Payne Products in Ann Arbor, and then retired from Federal Screw Works after many years. Norm liked to work on the farm raising horses, pigs, steer, chickens, and some row crops.

Geraldine Faye Scharphorn

of Chelsea, Michigan, age 80, passed away Monday, December 11, 2023, at her home. She was born January 14, 1943, in Wyandotte, Michigan, the daughter of Ralph and Lorraine (Camburn) Cross.