Obituaries

Edward J. Nys

Edward J. Nys of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of North Port, Florida, age 94, passed away Thursday, February 12, 2026, at home under hospice care. He was born January 24, 1932, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the son of Joseph Louis and Arlene Edith (Kollman) Nys.

Ed graduated from Bergland High School in the Upper Peninsula, and then served in the Air Force for 4 years. He later worked in HVAC.

Jeffrey Lynn Schmidt

Jeff Schmidt passed away February 15, at his home, ending a life well lived. Born December 6,1954, to Richard and Jean (Eisenbeiser) Schmidt, he was raised at North Lake and lived most of his adult life in the Chelsea area.

Jeff graduated Chelsea high school with the class of ‘73, and Hope College in ‘78, where he played basketball for the Flying Dutchmen. He retired from a career with the US Postal Service in ‘09.  Jeff craved being outside and participated in numerous outdoor activities including golf, gardening, and annual hunting trips to his beloved ‘camp’ in the UP. He was a talented baker and cook, an avid reader, spent countless hours on fantasy baseball and enjoyed his poker and bridge groups.

James “Jim” Edward Phinney

James “Jim” Edward Phinney of Chelsea, Michigan, age 73, passed away Friday, February 13, 2026, at Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital. He was born June 29, 1952, in Detroit, Michigan, the son of James Edward and Florence J. (Thomas) Phinney.

Jim grew up in Chelsea, farming with his father. He graduated from Chelsea High school, Cum Laude, in 1970. Jim went to the University of Michigan for a few years and worked for the University of Michigan Hospital. He later completed his schooling and worked as a programmer and systems analyst. He designed and wrote programs to run computers.  Jim was brilliant, which is why he was in high demand, and was sent to London to help them set up a program there.  Jim lived in Arkansas, Boston, Massachusetts, and Georgia, before moving back to Chelsea. He was a member of the St. Mary Catholic Church in Chelsea.  He loved football, science fiction, music, the Far Side, and working out.

Gloria Clay

Of Gregory, MI, age 79, passed away Friday, February 13, 2026 at her home in Gregory after a brief illness. She was born December 8, 1946 in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Clarence John & Nancy (Monterosso) Neubauer.

Gloria graduated from Lincoln Park High School in 1964. She was a librarian for a Catholic grade school for 20 years. Gloria enjoyed cruises, going to the casino, and spending time at the lake. She especially enjoyed her kids and grandkids.