Samuel Leslie Alguire
of Jackson, MI, formerly of Chelsea and Lansing, age 86, died Monday, February 15, 2021 at Henry Ford Allegiance in Jackson. He was born July 25, 1934 in Mattawan, MI, the son of Samuel I. & Mildred (Anson) Alguire. Sam graduated from Plainwell High School in 1952, and earned his Bachelor’s and Master's Degrees in Geology at Michigan State University. He worked for the State of Michigan for 40 years supervising drilling for oil and gas, mostly in Albion, St. Clair, Macomb, and Hillsdale Counties, retiring in 1996. Sam was an active member of the Mount Hope United Methodist Church in Lansing, and of the First United Methodist Church in Chelsea. In his retirement, he volunteered in the church tape ministry, and teaching refugee families how to drive. He was a member of the Michigan Basin Geological Society and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. Sam was also part of Alzheimer's groups in Lansing and in Ann Arbor.Phyllis Pearl Wurster
Of Chelsea, age 85, died Saturday, February 13, 2021 at Legacy Assisted Living in Jackson. She was born March 3, 1935 in Chelsea, MI, the daughter of Clarence “Cub” & Beatrice V. (Trolz) Vogel. Phyllis graduated from Chelsea High School in 1953. On Oct. 23, 1954, she married Ralph L. Wurster. She worked at Chelsea State Bank for 7 years, after which she stayed home to raise her children. Phyllis was a life-long member of the Chelsea First Congregational Church.
Nola May Knapp
of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Clio, MI, age 75, passed away Wednesday, February 3, 2021, at home under hospice care. She was born May 2, 1945, in Mount Morris, MI, the daughter of Albert Earl & Beatrice Marie (Lovett) Hammel. Nola graduated from Mt. Morris High School in 1963. She worked for GM, and then choose to stay home to raise her children. Nola attended West Forest United Methodist Church in Otisville. She volunteered and enjoyed being active at Otisville Senior Citizen Center, and most recently at Chelsea Senior Center.
Donald Lee Van Gilder
of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, age 90 passed away Wednesday, February 3rd at his home. He was born December 6, 1930, in Marshall County, Indiana to Esta E. and Flossie Marie (Walterhouse) Van Gilder. On September 6th, 1952, Donald married Margie Jean Connon and she survives. He is also survived by sons, Terry (Thresa) Van Gilder of Royal Palm Beach, Florida, Daniel (Brenda) Van Gilder of Leo, Indiana, and daughter, Lori (Brad) Critchfield of Grass Lake, Michigan. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. In addition, his brothers, Richard Van Gilder and Larry Van Gilder survive.
Wendy Jean Wallace
of Chelsea, MI, age 75, died peacefully on Sunday, January 31, 2021 at the University of Michigan Hospital, surrounded by her family. She was born February 13, 1945 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the daughter of Richard & Jean (Dodge) Drew.
Wendy and Rick moved to Chelsea in 1988. She was formerly a member of New Haven Friends Meeting, Immanuel Bible Church in Chelsea, and Knox Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor. Wendy held a B.A. from the University of Michigan, and master’s degrees from both Temple University in Philadelphia and the University of Connecticut. She was a social worker and teacher at several public and private high schools, as well as Hillsdale College, Berry College, and Spring Arbor University. In 2010, she published a book about her experiences with chronic illness, “Doing Well At Being Sick.” Her professional and academic accomplishments were overshadowed by her compelling care for others, and she touched many lives in profound ways.