Obituaries

James "Jim" Stevens

Age 80, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at Wellbridge of Pinckney. He was born July 19, 1943 in Manistee, Michigan, the son of Joseph A. and Alice B. (Swanson) Stevens.

Jim graduated from Buckley High School in 1961, and then served in the United States Air Force from 1961-1965, in Italy and Crete. He earned his Bachelors Degree from Owosso Bible College. Jim and Judy fostered 32 boys between 1965-1980. He was very involved with serving within the Church of the Nazarene. He served as youth pastor from 1972-1974, at the Lansing South Church of the Nazarene and was a Sunday School teacher over the years in many locations. He later attended Chapman Memorial Church in Vicksburg, and most recently was a member of the Chelsea Church of the Nazarene. Starting in 1974, Jim worked for the Federal Prison System in: Marion, Illinois; Oxford, Wisconsin, Lake Placid, New York; Oakdale, Louisiana, and retired as a Safety Manager in Milan, Michigan. 

Susan Taylor

Age 67, passed away Tuesday, May 28, 2024. She was born April 26, 1957, in Detroit, Michigan. She was the family’s baby, the last daughter of Raymond and Rose (Wojciechowski) Kress.

Susan attended St. Mary of Redford in Detroit, where she made her first communion and her confirmation. Later, when the family moved, she attended and graduated from Thurston High School. It was at Thurston, through her co-op class, that she began working at DTE. She stayed with them until she retired in 2019. At DTE, Sue met her husband, Dennis Taylor. Because they loved being near the water, they eventually bought a home on Union Lake. She loved jet skiing, entertaining, and cruising the lake on their pontoon. Many happy years were spent there. Sue loved her golden retriever, Daisy, and loved collecting Polish pottery. Sue attended St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in White Lake Township.

Mildred Eeles

Of Venice, Florida, formerly of Chelsea, Michigan, age 93, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at Cambrian Senior Living in Tecumseh. She was born December 20, 1930, in Dearborn, Michigan, the daughter of James E. and Leona S. (Kripner) Hood.

Mildred attended Sacred Heart High School, then graduated at Robichaud High School in Dearborn in 1948. Later in life she took classes at Washtenaw Community College. Mildred worked as a secretary at Inkster Bus, then at Dearborn Township, where she was secretary in charge of elections. She quit in 1957 to raise a family, and was a full-time wife and mom for years. Mildred was a Girl Scout Leader when Donna was young. She sold Avon and worked at Rick’s Market to make a little money. Later, she became the receptionist/secretary at the St. Louis Center for over a decade. She and David moved to Florida in retirement. She volunteered extensively at the Catholic Churches she attended. She was President of the Altar Society at St. Mary Catholic Church in Chelsea and an Usher at Epiphany Cathedral in Florida. Mildred served on the board for Venice Ranch Estates for many years. She was a card shark who loved Bridge most and enjoyed teaching others. Mildred had a sharp mind and was a loving person. She was a woman of strong faith and had a direct prayer line to St. Joseph.

Donald L. Coward, Sr.

of Cement City, Michigan, formerly of Texas; Japan; Spring Arbor, Ann Arbor, and Clinton, Michigan, age 87, died Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at Lynwood Manor in Adrian. He was born July 22, 1936, in Port Arthur, Texas, the son of Clyde and Lisette Esther (Kessel) Coward.