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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.

Lawrence R. “Larry” Hochstadt, Jr.


of Chelsea, Michigan, age 73, died Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at Michigan Medicine. He was born November 24, 1949, in Ypsilanti, Michigan, the son of Lawrence R. and Barbara (Wilson) Hochstadt, Sr.

Larry was a Polio survivor, and one of the first children to receive the “new” Salk vaccine. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and had recently begun rock hunting.

Larry was married to Elizabeth McCormick for 52 years, and she survives. He is also survived by his sister, Lorraine (Patrick) Pickering; his special friend, Paul Reed; and his cats, Buster and Buddy “Fluffy Butt.”

Phyllis R. McGaw

of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Punta Gorda, Florida, age 93, passed away Monday, October 23, 2023, after a brief illness. She was born August 10, 1930, in Franklin, Ohio, the daughter of Millard Roger and Mary Hastings (MacPhee) Fitch. 

Phyllis and her five siblings grew up in her father’s Church of the Nazarene in Norwood, Ohio where she developed a deep love and appreciation for gospel music and the Word of God. It was there that she met her husband of nearly 76 years, Thomas. They were married on November 10, 1947 and he survives. Phyllis and Tom raised their three children in Chelsea, Michigan and they also survive. Son Thomas (Hazel) McGaw of Grass Lake; daughters Janice (Larry) Gaken of Chelsea, and Patricia (Brad) McGibney of Temperance as well as six grandchildren Erin Knott, Evan (Ann) Chiumino-Knott, Adam (Marina) Knott, Thomas McGaw IV, Catherine (Kelly) Richmond, Michael McGibney; six great-grandchildren Alexis, Alivia, Helen, Lauren, Seamus, and Philip; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, five siblings, and grandson Philip McGibney.

Lew Gossage

Age 73, passed away Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at Birchwood Retreat in Chelsea, after a long illness. He was born April 18, 1950, in Benton, Illinois, the son of Loyce and Joann (Doty) Gossage.

Lew served in the US Army ROTC in the early 1970's. He attended the University of California, in Santa Barbara, where he earned his bachelor's degree in economics; and later, earned his Master of Business Administration. Lew spent his career in publishing, first as a salesman for Southwestern Publishing, and worked his way up to Vice President for McGraw-Hill, in Chicago, IL. Lew developed and led Xanedu at ProQuest. He was an avid reader of history, and loved old movies, watching documentaries, and classic cars. Lew owned a '67 Beetle that he toured Europe in with his parents and brother. He was a quiet and studious person.

Marjorie Edwards

Marjorie Violet Edwards died peacefully at home on Sunday, October 8, 2023. Born September 28, 1925 in Aldershot, England, the daughter of William George and Jessie Emily (Watson) Blake, she was the second youngest of nine children.

Marge’s teen years were spent in a city at war—often sleeping in the bomb shelter in the back garden. Fiercely independent, she took a job at Briggs Motor Company handing out weekly pay packets to toolmakers making trucks for the British Army. She and her sisters enjoyed slipping out to the dancehalls at Covent Gardens and jitterbugging with the American soldiers. In the summer, they would spend time at the shore at Butlins Holiday Camp.

Stanley Platsis

Age 81, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, October 5, 2023, with his wife and daughter by his side.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Carol (Spooner) Platsis; son, Zacharias Platsis of Wilmington, Delaware; daughter, Artemis Fuchs of Charleston, South Carolina; sister, Mary Platsis of Battle Creek; brother, George Platsis of Okemos; and grandchildren, Henry, Albert, Sophia, Miriam.  He was preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Christine Manos.