John “Nyle” Stierna
of Ann Arbor, MI, age 95, died Sunday, March 23, 2025 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor. He was born July 22, 1929 in Woodlawn, near Escanaba, Michigan, the son of John Peter & Martha (Vennie) Stierna. Nyle graduated from Waukegan High School where he was in ROTC and on the rifle team. He served in the US Air Force for 4 years in the Pilot program. Nyle worked at the Ford Design Center in Dearborn, retiring in 1995. He was a member of the Chelsea Rod & Gun Club, and was involved in American Power Boat Association where he designed and raced power boats. Nyle enjoyed hunting, fishing, photography and playing pool. In 2013 he was entered into the Boone and Crockett record books for his Non-Typical Columbia Blacktail deer shot in 1966 in British Columbia. Nyle was a detail oriented person who enjoyed striking up a conversation with anyone.
Fritts William Ryan
Of Allegan, Michigan, formerly of Florida, Colorado, and Tennessee.
Age 82, died Sunday, March 23, 2025 at his home in Allegan. He was born May 8, 1942 in Dayton, Ohio, the son of Fritts William and Sadie Gertrude (Burts) Ryan.
Fritts was a hard worker who worked for himself in construction. He liked to travel all over the US.
Fritts married Kathryn Presley on April 26, 1986, in Colorado Springs, CO, and she survives.
Virginia "Kathy" Hart
Age 84, passed away Friday, March 21, 2025, at the Chelsea Retirement Community. She was born January 2, 1941, in Haleyville, Alabama, the daughter of James Arley and Geneva Paralee (Bailey) Stevens.
Our mom, Kathy, loved the Lord with all of her heart. She sang gospel music for many years and was active in her church. Giving back to her community was very important to her, from volunteering at soup kitchens to organizing charity galas and fundraisers. She was involved with CCRMC Auxiliary and the RTA Hospice Committee. She was also strong and brave, with a side of sassy. When she was 62 years old, she went back to college and became a certified CNA. She then worked in hospice with RTA and with Visiting Angels, which was perfect, since to us she was an angel on earth.
One of her most amazing qualities was that she never met a stranger. Whenever she met someone she left them better than she found them and with a smile on their face. She was truly the epitome of all that is good and kind in this world.
Gregory Scott Gillette
Age 73, passed away Saturday, March 22, 2025 at Chelsea Retirement Community. He was born March 13, 1952 in Muskegon, Michigan, the son of Robert E. & Virginia Mary (Lucht) Gillette. Greg graduated from Western High School in 1970. He earned a Bachelors from Western Michigan University, a Bachelors in Art from Duluth University, and a Masters in Fine Arts from Brandeis University in MA. Greg taught at Pacific Lutheran College in WA, Texas A & M, was an Adjunct Professor at Central College in Iowa, and retired from North Dakota State University. He had been a runner in his younger days, and had been a camp counsellor at Michi-Lu-Ca. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Jackson, where he designed paraments for the church. Greg spent one semester in Cambridge, traveling extensively on his own. He enjoyed painting and drawing. Greg loved to read and to cook from his large collection of cookbooks. He was an outgoing and friendly person.
Donald Lee Erskine
of Manchester, Michigan, age 71, passed away Friday, March 21, 2025, at Ashley Court of Brighton. He was born February 13, 1954, in Chelsea, Michigan, the son of Clarence “Glenn” and Minnie Mae (Piatt) Erskine.
Don volunteered with Guitars For Vets. He was very proud that he had 2 children in the military.