Richard E. Roller

 THE LIFE AND TIMES OF RICHARD E. ROLLER

November 22, 1922 - September 6, 2024
 

  Richard (Dick) Roller was born on November 22, 1922, to Edwin and Maud (Trudeau) Roller. He was one of four children; brothers Bill & Sonny and sister Jane completed the family. Times were tough during the Great Depression and the family lost their home when their Dad was laid off from Ford Motor. During the depression, Dick and his father went to farmers markets to buy food which they delivered in bushel baskets to friends, neighbors and family in need.

  Dick met Marian Kelly in grade school and a lifetime loving bond was created. Dick and Marian were married in 1942, but their early married life was interrupted by WWII. Dick was working as an 18-year-old tool and die apprentice at Ford Motor Company when he and a select group of apprentices were called into a meeting. They were promoted to Foreman and would be supervising a team of women who had never been employed. They were to build B-24 Bombers at the Willow Run plant. Dick continued in this position for a year then decided he needed to aid the war effort in a different way. He left Ford, giving up his war deferment and joined the Merchant Marine. He was sent to New York for training and qualified as a Second Engineer on Liberty ships. He transported military supplies to both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. He was very proud of his wartime service. At the end of the war, he returned to the USA and Marian.

Robert Hamel

 Age 55, passed away Thursday, August 29, 2024 at his sister's house in Chelsea. He was born February 17, 1969 in Garden City, the son of Edward Robert & Kathleen Mae (Waun) Hamel.

Robert graduated from Chelsea High School in 1987.  He was a chef at many restaurants, but was especially known for working at Thompson's Pizza. His colorful character impacted many people.   Robert loved life, enjoying time with friends and family.

Jeffrey Kermit Hampel

September 24, 1936 to August 8, 2024

Word has been received from Denver of the death of former Chelsea resident, Jeff Hampel age 87.

Jeff owned a Crooked Lake cottage from 1965 to 2005 when he moved to Green Valley AZ and Dillon Colorado. He also had a family home in Troy MI.

Jeff was born in East Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Alford R. Hampel and Mae (Illingworth) Hampel Ralston.

After graduating from Purdue where he was a member of Kappa Delta Rho fraternity, Jeff served in the U.S. Army Security Agency as an analyst intercepting Soviet communications during the Berlin Wall crisis.

Leaving military service, Jeff had a 30 year career as a sales representative for Magic Chef, Litton Microwaves, and Fisher Electronics.

Ben Ross

of Ann Arbor, Michigan, age 87, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at his home. He was born November 9, 1936, in Licking, Missouri, on the kitchen table, the son of Lucious Lloyd and Opal Etta (Stair) Ross.