Chester Leonard Kaczmarek, age 89 passed away peacefully early Thursday Morning,  May 21, 2026 at Green Acres of Manistee.

He was born at his family home in Filer City, MI on November 26, 1936 son of the late Leonard & Christine (Sochar) Kaczmarek.  He attended St. Joseph High School class of 1955.  He worked as a Pulp Mill Operator at Packaging Corporation of America for 44 years up until his retirement in 1998.  During his employment with PCA, Chester also worked at the Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee under Chuck Herbert and later Paul Kubacki retiring in 2018.

Chester met his future wife Mary Ann Swanson at a dance and later married her on June 25, 1960 at Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Manistee.  She preceded him in death on June 26, 2008.

Chester was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed his gardening and mushroom picking. He served in the Michigan National Guard for several years and was a past member of the Friends of the V.F.W., Eagles and the Civic Club all of Manistee.

He is survived by his son & daughter-in-law; David & Carol Kaczmarek of Manistee, MI and his daughter & son-in-law; Kathryn McNeil & Vince Stefanelli of Chicago, IL, his sister, Rogene Newman of Manistee, MI, and two sisters-in-law; Leona Swanson of Belding, MI and Jean Anderson of Free Soil. MI Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death in addition to his wife Mary Ann by 3 sisters & 4 brothers-in-law; Dolores & Floyd Tyczkowski, Delphine & Al Tabaczka, Shirley & James McNeil and David Newman, two brothers & one sister-in-law, Floyd & Dorothy Kaczmarek & Richard "Skitzer" & Kaczmarek.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Manistee with Reverend James Bearss Celebrant. Visitation will take place at 9:30 a.m. at the church up until the time of funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. Chester will be laid to rest next to his wife Mary Ann at Mount Carmel Cemetery also in Manistee.

In lieu of flowers, the family has set up a memorial in Chester's name for Divine Mercy Parish of Manistee or the Guardian Angels Historic Preservation Project.  Envelopes will be available at the church.

The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.