Friday, November 10, 2023
Friday, August 18, 2023
Our 65th class reunion!
Yikes!
Our reunion will be held on Friday, September 29, 2023
at 1 pm
at the VALLLIANT BAR AND GRILL
corner of South Main and Old US 12
RVSP --
Please call Jan Bernath at 475 5753 or Sandy Weber at 475 8862
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Barbara Hoskins Flaugher died recently.
BARBARA FLAUGHER OBITUARY
Flaugher, Barbara 6/18/1938 - 2/20/2023 Ypsilanti, Michigan Age 84, passed away on February 20, 2023 at her home. Barbara was born in Salyersville, Kentucky on June 18, 1938 to Doc and Mary (Dyer) Hoskins. She moved to Chelsea in 1956 and graduated from Chelsea High School in 1958. She married Allan K. Flaugher on February 18, 1961, and he preceded her in death in December 2019. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Family and faith meant the world to her. She enjoyed quilting and word searches, camping, traveling, and cooking family meals. She worked for the Willow Run School District for many years. Barbara is survived by her children, Perry Flaugher, Mark (Carey Lynn) Flaugher, and Elaine (Eric) Cantrell; her grandchildren, Melissa, Thaddeus, Kaitlynne, Danielle, Ethan, Michelle and Xavier; great-grandchildren, Makenzie, Abigale, Anna, and Aryca. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her eldest son, Paul and his wife, Brenda, as well as her siblings, Herman (Cheryl) Hoskins and Janet (Tim) Schulze. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 24, 2023 at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2023, 11:00 a.m., at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea. Burial will follow at Oak Grove East Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Immanuel Bible Church Youth Program.
Thursday, January 19, 2023
Bill Sorensen's obituary
William "Bill" Sorensen
William Hugh Sorensen, 82, of Kalamazoo, Michigan passed away peacefully in his home on January 4, 2023. He is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Sharon Stickney Sorensen; daughters Jennifer (Dave) Barry and Katrina (David) Steele; grandchildren Gabriella and Kyle (Lauren) Barry and Brenna, Lydia, and Elyse Steele; great-granddaughters Malaya and Nyla Barry; and other cherished extended family.
He was predeceased by his loving mother Margaret Marshall Sorensen; beloved sisters Mary Anne Balmer and Janet Hinterman; and father Hugh Sorensen.
Bill was born June 13, 1940 to Hugh and Margaret Sorensen in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Growing up in small town Chelsea, Michigan in the 40’s and 50’s filled him with unforgettable experiences. His grandparents lived nearby and he recalled memories of spending Saturday afternoons in their home listening to classical music. He played the coronet in his high school marching band and was quite the self-proclaimed delinquent during his teenage years, undoubtedly the reason his mother sent him to spend summers on a Montana ranch. After graduating high school in 1958 he went on to attend his class reunions for more than 50 years; always delighted to catch up with old classmates.
In 1967, Bill graduated from Ferris State College and moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan where he and his late, former wife, Ann Browder, raised their two daughters. As a young man, Bill was a self taught wood worker and model train builder. His passion for long distance biking and running sparked him to compete in a biathlon in which he jokingly bragged that he came in 2nd place (out of 2 in his age category). He treasured time spent with his daughter cheering on the WMU volleyball team and family vacations to Glen Lake.
In 1988, Bill married the love of his life, Sharon Stickney. Together they built a life focused around church, family, and friends. Bill was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo where he volunteered and worshiped throughout his life. He cherished his church family and was an ardent supporter of racial, gender, and LGBTQ+ equality. After retirement, he spent many summer hours volunteering at Hope Garden growing produce to donate to Loaves & Fishes and volunteering at Gilmore Car Museum. Both brought him great purpose and joy for many years.
Through his soft, gentle nature ‘Gramps’ lovingly built a unique and special bond with each of his grandchildren, unceasingly supporting and championing them everyday of their lives. It was not uncommon to see tears of joy and gratitude streaming down his cheeks. Bill lived his life graciously bestowing love, encouragement, and tenderness to those he cared about. He will be remembered for his fierce love of family and church, his sense of humor, his tender heart, and his open mind. The family would like to thank the many people from Centrica Care (formerly Hospice Care of Southwest MI) who provided such compassionate care during his final weeks.
Memorial Service will be held Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 1:00pm in Kalamazoo’s First Presbyterian Church, 321 W. South Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. Interment will be in the church Columbarium. Contributions may be sent in Bill’s memory to First Presbyterian Church, Kalamazoo for the Hope Garden.
While visiting Bill’s webpage at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please sign the guestbook and/or sharing a memory with the family. The family is being assisted by Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Home; 5975 Lovers Lane in Portage 269 344-5600.