Chester J. Czuk

Chester J. Czuk 91 of Kalamazoo passed away on April 19, 2017 at Kairos Dwelling at the age of 91. He was born just before Christmas in 1925 to Stella (Kuzma) and Jacob Czuk in Kalamazoo, MI. Chet attended Lincoln Elementary and Central High School; he was drafted while still in high school to serve in WWII. As the story goes the truant officer came to his house asking his mother where he was, as he had told no one that he was going into the Army, in which he served two years. A few years after he was home from the Army, he met his wife Carolyn (Morton) at city hall. They enjoyed 51 years together until Carolyn’s passing in 2006. In his younger working career, Chet was a builder and a draftsman; he was employed by Valley Metal Products in Plainwell for many years, and also spent many years at the Postal Service, from which he retired in 1986. Chet loved to tinker with things and figure out how they worked and were put together an ability he passed on to his son Steve. They spent many hours taking things apart and figuring out how they went back together. Chet could pretty much fix anything, including cars when it was still possible to work on them, and anything his kids might happen to break on a regular basis, which of course was no one’s fault. After Carolyn’s passing, Chet liked to fly to Florida for a couple of weeks in the winter with Cathy and Jim, taking in a few Detroit Tigers spring training games, sitting on the beach feeling the warm sun, and just driving around looking at the ocean and all the beautiful blue waters; he loved Key West. His favorite Florida activity was riding an airboat through the Everglades. Chet also enjoyed shorter trips in the summer up north to Manistee and Traverse City, and he and Carolyn had a favorite vacation spot in Whitehall. In 2014, as a veteran of World War II , he was one of a group of about 75 veterans selected to go to Washington, D.C., on the local Honor Flight, accompanied by his daughter Cathy, to see the war memorials, quite an experience. About nine years ago Chet was so very fortunate to be blessed by a second lady in his life, Miss Ellen Havens. They found immense joy in each other’s company, watching Lawrence Welk, taking in an old movie, dining together, or just sitting around talking, although Chet claimed Ellen did most of the talking. We are forever grateful that she brought him and us so much joy and laughter, we are so glad she was and still is a part of all our lives. We would like to thank Borgess Gardens for all their kindness and caring, and Kairos Dwelling for making Chet’s transition something we can all cherish. God Bless! About a week before he passed, Chet told us he had a good life, and ultimately, that is what it’s all about! Chet was preceded in death by his wife Carolyn in 2006, son: David in 2003, sister: Wanda, brother in law: Edward Hargot, nephew: Patrick Hargot, and sister in law: Jan Bennett. Surviving are his daughter: Cathy (Jim) Smith, son: Steve (Carol), Grandsons: Andrew and Adam Czuk, Brother: Felix (Irene) Czuk, nephew: Mitchell Czuk, nieces: Christine Turner, and Pam Moberley and nephew: Rick Bennett. Friends will be received Tuesday April 25 from 5 until 7:30pm at Parchment Redmond Funeral Home, 2300 East "G" Ave. Parchment, MI 49004 (269) 349-7735 where a rosary will be recited at 7pm. Memorial Mass will be celebrated Wednesday April 26 at 12 noon at St. Mary Catholic Church, Fr. James Richardson celebrant. Memorials may be made to Kairos Dwelling or St. Mary's Catholic Church. Inurnment will be in Ft. Custer National Cemetery. www.redmondfuneralhomes.net