Obituaries

Boyd Lavern Pitts

of Chelsea, Michigan, age 77, passed away Sunday, August 24, 2025, at Trinity Health Livingston Hospital. He was born August 8, 1948, in Saginaw, Michigan, the son of Theodore and Edna (Fierstien) Pitts.

Boyd graduated from Flint Central High School in 1966, and was drafted into the Army, serving in California. After meeting Kathy, he started working for the University of Michigan in housekeeping, then stockkeeping/receiving, truck driving, and finally, in the mailroom. Boyd loved collecting military memorabilia and Civil War re-enactments. He enjoyed going to the Saline Celtic Festival and Michigan Renaissance Festival, and volunteered with the Waterloo Farm Museum.

Vionne Edell Johnson

Vionne “Vi” Edell Johnson of Chelsea, Michigan, age 94, passed away Monday, August 18, at Chelsea Retirement Community. Vionne was born in 1930 as the youngest child of a Scandinavian farm family in Granite Falls, MN – the much-loved daughter of Emil Carl and Hulda Nelson.

In December of 1951, Vionne married her high school sweetheart and trombone rival, Kenneth E. Johnson. Fifty-nine years of marriage and corporate moves took them to Minneapolis, New Jersey, Iowa, Northern Minnesota, Kansas, Maine, and finally here in Chelsea. With each move, Ken and Vi would become active members in their local churches, making enduring friendships along the way. Vionne was an elementary school teacher, a homemaker, a Deacon of the Presbyterian Church, and most recently a member of the Huron River Methodist Church of Dexter. Kenny and Vi’s shared wanderlust also led to travel around the world. Well into her 94th year, Vionne was a lively companion on family trips, near and far. She will be missed for her grace, wisdom, and laser-like wit.

Lucille Doke

of Northville, Michigan, formerly of Ann Arbor, age 90, passed away Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at Brookdale Senior Living in Northville. She was born August 7, 1935, in Atlanta, Georgia, the daughter of Ellis and Lucille (Woodly) Doke, Sr.

Lucille was part of Deep Spring Center for Meditation and Spiritual Inquiry. She worked at the University of Michigan as a Major Gifts Officer and Accountant, retiring in 1989.

June Ann Havens

of Brooklyn, Michigan, formerly of Auburn Hills, age 84 passed away peacefully with her daughters by her side on Monday August 18, 2025, at Trinity Health-St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. She was born February 14th, 1941, in Royal Oak Mi. The daughter of Ross and Mabel (Collom) Morgan.

June graduated from Waterford Twp High School class of 1959. She retired from MEEMIC Insurance in Auburn Hills. Anyone that knew June knew that she was most proud of her daughters Tammy and Tonya. June “never met a stranger” and made quick friends of all that knew her. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends from Genes Drive, the Eagles, the Moose, and Brooklyn Living Center. June was famous for her taco salad, festive outfits, and costume jewelry.