Obituaries

Barbara Ann Hochrein

Barbara Ann Hochrein of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Dexter, age 91, passed away Friday, January 2, 2026, at the Chelsea Retirement Community in the Kresge Rehabilitation Center. She was born March 11, 1934, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the daughter of Emanuel Carl & Elsie Barbara (Bernthel) Seitz.

Barbara was a Charter Member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Chelsea, where she planned funeral dinners, taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and was the president of the Phoebe Guild, and Silver Streak. Barbara was a member of Lambda Chi Omega Professional Women's Organization and the Ann Arbor Lionesses. She worked at the University of Michigan School of Social Work & School of Public Health. Barbara enjoyed spending time at their family cabin, attended all the sporting activities of her sons, and enjoyed being with her grandchildren.

Nancy Sue Kiel

Nancy Sue Kiel (née Van Riper), age 90, passed away peacefully on December 19, 2025, at the Chelsea Retirement Community. Nancy was born on August 5, 1935, in Monroe, Michigan. She married Franklin “Frank” Sweeny in September 1953, and together they raised five beautiful sons. She later married Stanley “Ron” Kiel in April 1993.

Nancy is survived by her children, Ronald (Bethany) Sweeny of Dexter, Rick (Faye) Sweeny of Stockbridge, and Randy (Lisa) Sweeny of Fort White, Florida; and her stepchildren, Ron (Pam) Kiel of Chelsea, Jeff (Shawnda) Kiel of Indian River, Sheryl Kiel (Mike Dayton) of Mattawan, Karen (Doug) Burchett of Chelsea, and David (Carol) Kiel of Benton Harbor. She is also survived by eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers; two sisters; her husbands; and two sons, Rod Sweeny and Ryan Sweeny.

Darrin Lopez

Sweet Darrin Lopez of Jackson, Michigan, age 15, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, December 25, 2025, at Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor. He was born March 28, 2010, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the son of Roberto Lopez and Kelly Sue (Allward) Lopez.

Darrin was a student at High Point in Ann Arbor, and was currently a student at Jackson County Intermediate School District. Darrin was a very vocal, loving kid, with the best smile and great belly laugh. He liked to swim and be around his siblings- especially when they were in trouble.

Rev. James "Jim" Henry Maxwell

Rev. James “Jim” Henry Maxwell, 86 years old, born January 25, 1939, passed away on November 5, 2025, in Chelsea, Michigan.

Born to Frank “Donald” and Letitia “Pat” Maxwell, Jim was raised in Yonkers, New York. He attended Gordon High School. A lifelong athlete, he played basketball (“infamously” once at Madison Square Gardens), and was an avid runner until his legs no longer could carry him that way. While attending Columbia University, he served as captain of the track team and completed his undergraduate studies. He also enjoyed tennis well into his 70s—still managing to win the occasional game even after adopting a cane on the court. Following college, Jim responded to a call to serve God, amending plans to go into engineering, instead completing a master’s degree in divinity at Virginia Theological Seminary. After ordination as an Episcopal priest, Jim’s first church assignment placed him in Covington, Kentucky, where he met Martha May “Mardi” Maxwell, the daughter of the Rector. She became the love of his life, and together they shared 60 years of marriage. They moved to Philadelphia in 1967, where they welcomed their three children: Stephen (1968), Timothy (1970), and Debra (1972).