Obituaries

Grant Wade Willis

Age 40, a musician, artist and Jehovah's Witnesses of Chelsea Michigan passed away June 24th 2020 in Saline Michigan. He was preceded in death by his mother Nevatte Willis of Chelsea Michigan. He is survived by his father Greg Willis, his son Jaydon Willis, his brother and sister-in-law Garth and Nichole Willis, his sister Geneva Willis, close friends Caden Stein and Myranda Catalano, along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Grant was extremely fun and creative being universally loved, often described as a gentle giant among friends. He was a consummate musician playing with multiple bands, Elsewhere, Trash Pig, 5 Tongues, and his group Professor Cat ( https://www.facebook.com/ProfessorCat/ ). He followed in his grandmother's footsteps developing a love of art ( https://www.facebook.com/GrantWspaceart/ ) and becoming known in the area for painting live at art shows and a number of murals for local businesses.

Barbara Jean Egeler

of Grass Lake, Michigan, age 87, died Monday, June 22, 2020. She was born August 28, 1932 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the daughter of Garnett & Marguerite (Krontz) Weir.

Barbara attended Chelsea schools and was a runner in high school. She worked at Gaunt's gladiola farm, and did childcare. Barbara was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Chelsea. She was an artist who loved to paint and draw.

Emil "Bill" Bethke

Emil "Bill" Bethke, a lifelong resident of Ann Arbor, passed away peacefully on June 22, 2020 at the age of eighty-seven.  After graduating Ann Arbor Pioneer in 1950, he served in the U.S. Air Force, where he was stationed in Alaska and Washington. In the Air Force he worked on the communications team, flew search and rescue missions as well as played hockey and baseball including the midnight sun game in Fairbanks, Alaska. Bill returned to Ann Arbor where he worked for Michigan Bell / AT&T for thirty years followed by ten years at the University of Michigan in telecommunications.

Frank Anthony Cianciolo Sr.

Frank Cianciolo, “Pop”, 78, of Chelsea, Michigan died unexpectedly on Tuesday, May 19, 2020 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Chelsea. He is survived by three sons, Frank (Karie) Jr. of Manchester, Robert of Jackson, David (Janette) of Manchester; six grandchildren, Vincent, Samantha, Victor, Olive, Gino and Julian; two great-grandchildren, Daniel and Ember; sisters Maryann McShane, Peggy (Robert) Foster; brother Tom (Kim) Cianciolo; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, father and sister,  Toni Ann Cianciolo.