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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.

Jean Madonna Freysinger

age 89, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 in Chelsea, Michigan. Born in Chelsea on October 2, 1927 to Earl and Cora (Hoover) Bauer, one of 11 children. She retired from Holiday Inn - Westbank in Ann Arbor in 1992. Jean resided in Adrian, Michigan for 23 years before moving back to Chelsea. Her unyielding love touched many. It was the simple things around her in life that she never took for granted, commenting daily how fortunate and thankful she was. Above all, Jean was absolutely devoted to her family. She was a woman of strong faith, believing in the strength of Jesus Christ’s grace and the beauty and peace that would await her.

Arley Bessie Lake

of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Warren, MI, age 98, died Saturday, June 17, 2017 at the Chelsea Retirement Community. She was born July 21, 1918 in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Harry Dorr and Louise Georgia (Nieding) Critchett. Arley worked at Detroit Bank and Trust as a bookkeeper and teller. She was a church musician at age 16, being an organist most of those years (53 years at East Detroit Evangelical United Brethren).  She lived in Warren for 32 years, coming to Chelsea in1991.  In retirement, Arley continued her playing at the Chelsea Retirement Community Chapel.  She taught Sunday School for many years. Arley held many local and district offices as a member of the United Methodist Women.  She was a member of the Chelsea First United Methodist Church.

Gerald R. “Jerry” Wenk

of Chelsea, Michigan, age 85, died Sunday, June 4, 2017 at Legacy Assisted Living in Jackson. He was born August 25, 1931 in Chelsea, Michigan, the son of Roland & Elnora (Eiseman) Wenk.  Jerry lived in Chelsea his entire life. He attended Chelsea High School.  Jerry served in the US Army in Korea from 1948-1951, and was a member of the “Chosen Reservoir”. He has been a member of American Legion Post 31 since 1952, the Covenant Church of Chelsea, and was a lifetime member and Past Master of Masonic Lodge #156. From 1955 until 1988, Jerry worked at the Chrysler Proving Grounds. He was a Past President of Oak Grove Cemetery and was a member of the board until his death. 

William Henry Altenberndt

of Chelsea, Michigan, age 69, died Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor. He was born August 26, 1947 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the son of Junior Raymond & Louise Matilda (Klink) Altenberndt. William graduated from Chelsea High School Class of 1965 and Jackson Community College in 1967. He worked at Chelsea Lumber Company for 40 years and retired in 2009. William was a founding member of the Chelsea Amateur Radio Club in 1971. He worked for the City of Chelsea as a Severe Weather Coordinator starting in 2009. William also worked as a hockey scorekeeper from 2003 until the time of his death. He was a member of First Church of God in Jackson, and had been attending First Nazarene in Ann Arbor. Bill & Sandy enjoyed miniature golf and played in tournaments, and volunteered for Hospice of Jackson.   

David Richard Watson

of Grass Lake, MI, age 65, died Monday, May 29, 2017 in Jackson County.  He was born August 22, 1951 in Coldwater, Michigan, the son of Richard Lloyd & Myrtle (Wakeham) Watson. David lived on his family farm for many years.  David graduated from Chelsea High School in 1969. He then attended Michigan Technological University and graduated from Lake Superior State with an Engineering Degree. David worked at Chrysler Proving Grounds, retiring in 2008. He enjoyed cutting wood and gardening. David made maple syrup, tapping trees on his own land.