Obituaries

Richard M. Davis

Chelsea, MI, formerly of Bradenton, FL, Belleville, MI, and Franklin, PA, died on June 23, 2021, age 78, in Chelsea. He was born September 26, 1942 in Franklin, PA, the son of Clair & Jessie (Heffernan) Davis. Dick worked at Chicago Pneumatic Tool (CPT), Franklin, PA, Luxaire in Elyria, OH as a Supervisor of Industrial Engineering for several years then in 1975 worked for Ford Motor Company at the Cleveland Stamping Plant and transferred in 1980 to Ford Rouge Plant and later to EEE building in Dearborn, MI as an Industrial Engineer and retired after 26-1/2 years of service.

Dr. John L. Zettelmaier

of Chelsea, MI, age 83, died Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at home and in the company of his family. He was born December 17, 1937 in Chicago, the first son of John C. and Eleanor (Stech) Zettelmaier. He moved with his family to southwestern Michigan in 1953. Upon completion of high school he attended Western Michigan University, earning a degree in biology in 1960. He then completed a master’s degree in limnology/fresh water biology from Michigan State University in 1961. His research was part of a pioneering study of the impact of pollutants on the ecosystem. He then attended the University of Michigan Medical School, graduating in 1965. He practiced family medicine for 35 years, first in the Kalamazoo area, then in Chesterton, Indiana, and finally in Chelsea. During the Viet Nam era, he served in a U.S. Army Reserve Convalescent Unit, achieving the rank of Captain.

Catherine Marie Payne

Ann Arbor, MI, formerly of Chelsea, MI and Green Valley, AZ, age 95, died Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at Brookdale Senior Living in Ann Arbor MI. She was born December 18, 1925 in Detroit, MI, the daughter of Stephen Edward James & Ethel Sarah (Shaw) Rondon.  She worked for Leo Burnett Advertising Company from March 1, 1954 to December 30, 1988 in the accounting (Petty Cash) department. Catherine was a member of the Kiwanis club in Chelsea, where she was a George F. Hixson Fellow. Two of her favorite things to do were to golf and travel with her friends. You may even have seen our Aunt Catherine on the back of a Harley Motorcycle driven by her nephew along with her niece right behind them on her Harley. She would be picked up at her home in Chelsea for a fun filled day of site seeing and traveling the open roads. To end their day they would stop for a relaxing meal. Catherine enjoyed needlepoint and gardening. She was a member of St. Mary Church, Chelsea.

Sandy Lee Schmunk

Sandy Lee Schmunk died June 16, 2021 at her home after a long journey with cancer. Born in Detroit, on November 20, 1948 to Myron and Shirley Carlson, she was nurtured by her grandmother, Dorothy Harrison, and, in turn, shepherded her younger sisters, Vicki and Dottie. Sandy graduated from Cherry Hill High School in 1966 and then attended Eastern Michigan University. She married Charles Schmunk on February 3, 1968.

Although Sandy’s life was shortened by cancer, her impact on others was lengthened by her spirit of service. Sandy was a long-time presence at Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC), serving 25 years in several roles, including Activity Director, Social Worker, and Assistant Administrator. She was instrumental in the development and administration of CRC’s Towsley Village. Later, Sandy played a key role in organizing “Joe’s Memory Arts Café” at Huron Woods. Beyond her professional life, Sandy volunteered as Girl Scout Troop Service Director for Chelsea, a troop leader for older girls, and later for residents at CRC. She was devoted to her church community at Chelsea First United Methodist and served over the years as Sunday school teacher, youth group leader, Women’s Society of Christian Service president, lay leader, and so much more. Close friends appreciated her humble leadership, calming influence, sense of humor, inclusiveness, and steadfast love. She was a visionary, patient laborer, and a companion on life’s journey; guided by love, compassion, and humility. Sandy listened openly and gently, inwardly discerning God’s mission in the world, but was not afraid to speak succinctly and boldly for justice. She was grounded in daily devotion and deep spiritual practice.