Mary Ann Warren
of Chelsea, Michigan, age 82, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at Chelsea Hospital. She was born December 22, 1943, in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Wilbur H. and Abbie S. (Reed) Hanson. The pillars that mom’s life stood upon were her faith, her family, service to others and teaching.
Mary Ann attended Hillsdale schools growing up and moved to Chelsea in 1959, graduating from Chelsea High School in 1962. She went on to Michigan State University to earn her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. She spent her entire teaching career in the Eaton Rapids Public School System. Mary Ann was a much loved classroom teacher at Lockwood Elementary, however, she is best remembered for her fifteen plus years as a highly skilled reading instructor at Union Street Elementary.
Mary Ann and Ron made their home in rural Eaton County, near Dimondale, where they raised their family in the home they helped build. This small farm setting provided many lifelong lessons and volumes of hilarious stories for the family. After being Florida ‘snowbirds’ for many years, they finally settled back down where their love story began, in Chelsea.
William "Bill" Koch
Of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Dexter.
Age 86, Bill passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 13, at the Chelsea Retirement Community. He was born January 22, 1940, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the son of Christian Paul and Isabelle (Frayer) Koch. Bill graduated from Ann Arbor High School in 1958. He became a finish carpenter and worked for Butcher and Willits. Bill took pride in building a beautiful home in Dexter for his family.
Joan Allen
Joan Allen of Chelsea, Michigan, age 94, passed away Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the Chelsea Retirement Community. She was born May 26, 1932, in Royalton, Kentucky, the daughter of Homer and Elma (Crace) Howard.
Joan graduated from Royalton High School in 1950. She loved the South and the mountains of Kentucky. She grew up on a 2000-acre farm at the base of a mountain, where the Licking River ran in front of it. She shared stories about being stranded on the farm for days when the river would flood and about her favorite hill she liked to climb to sit and watch the train go by. Joan was a trained nurse's aide and worked for the Methodist Home. She was devoted to taking care of her son, Homer, who was blind from an accident, until he passed, and then worked at Silver Maples for a few years. Joan was a member, for many years, of the Christian Fellowship Church in Chelsea, which later became Hope Alive Church. She enjoyed working in her yard, gardening and growing purple Irises, and baking. Joan was spirited and feisty and could let you know where she stood, even while laughing. She was devoted to Kellie and loved her family.
Nancy Louise Schutze
Nancy Louise Schutze of Pinckney, Michigan, formerly of Detroit, age 95, passed away Sunday, June 7, 2026, at her home on Halfmoon Lake. She was born August 3, 1930, in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of William Wallace and Shirley Louise (Slayton) Travis.
Nancy graduated from Northwestern High School, class of 1947, and went on to take some accounting courses. She was heavily involved with the North Lake United Methodist Church in Chelsea. Nancy enjoyed crafting and crocheting. She loved going for rides on the pontoon boat and camping with her family and church family with the Christian Family Camping Association.
Royal “Roy” Lewis Richards Jr.
Royal “Roy” Lewis Richards Jr. of Ann Arbor, Michigan, formerly of Ypsilanti, Pinckney, and Gregory, age 82, passed away after a long illness Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at Optalis of Ann Arbor. He was born April 19, 1944, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the son of Royal Lewis “Louie” Richards Sr. and Lavon Irene (Suman) Riplow.
Roy graduated from Ann Arbor High School. He worked as a stockkeeper for IGA and A & P, then went to work for the Cloverleaf Restaurant in Ann Arbor as a line cook. He loved to play bingo and the lottery, and enjoyed fishing and NASCAR. Roy will be remembered for being helpful and independent.