Chester Steven Kasper Jr.

Chester Steven Kasper Jr., age 82, of Cedarville, Michigan, died on October 10, 2018, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on December 24, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois, to Chester and Helen (Borkowski) Kasper Sr. Chet spent his young childhood in Chicago. His family moved Chet and his sister Patricia to Cedarville in 1946. He graduated from Les Cheneaux High School in 1954, then attended Michigan Technological University Eastern Campus, now LSSU, receiving education in Drafting. Chet returned to Cedarville to work for his father at Kasper and Son Heating. In 1957, Chet met Merrial Bennett and started a relationship that would last over six decades. They celebrated wedding vows on August 27, 1959, in Hessel, Michigan. Chet joined Clark Township Volunteer Fire Department in 1955, an organization he would cherish long into life. In 1961, their first son Chester III made his arrival, 1962 brought their second son Stanley. In 1967, along came the twins Michael and Michelle. In 1974, Chet became Chief of the Fire Department, which he remained for 43 years until his retirement in 2016. Chet’s true devotion was to his family, church and choir for 60 years, and the community, never refusing to answer a call for help no matter of the time of day, holidays, or weather, for emergencies for heating service. Earning many thanks and accolades he was awarded the “Citizen of The Year” award in 1991. Furthering his support of the community, he joined the Clark Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps in 1986, retiring in 2016 after 30 years. Chet had interests in other organizations by joining the Lions, and for many years the Les Cheneaux Sportsman Club, where he was to lay the first block, and the Moose Lodge. When not working, Chet loved when family and friends gathered for events, like the Fireman’s picnic. His love for his family knew no bounds, and his biggest smiles came from when he and his grandchildren were gathered together. Chet and Merrial were admired for their love of the Polka, there was never a dance they sat out. He also, enjoyed bowling and ice fishing. Chet is survived by his wife, Merrial Kasper, of Cedarville; sons, Chester (Kathryn) Kasper of Hessel, Stanley (Val) Kasper of Cedarville, and Michael (Nancy) Kasper of Cedarville; daughter, Michelle (Steve) Kennedy of New Haven, Indiana; grandchildren, Philip (Fabi) Kasper, David (Chelsea) Kasper, Dawn (Mark DiFilippo) Kennedy, Steven (Jasmine) Kennedy, Matthew (Paige) Kennedy, Samuel (Kristen) Kennedy, Alicia Kasper, and Ashley Kasper; great-grandchildren, Kiera, Parker, Emma Jo, Payton, and Brynn; brothers-in-law, Clyde VanDusen of St. Ignace, Michigan, John Coveyou of St. Ignace, Clayton (Alice) Bennett of St. Ignace, Ralph (Karen) Bennett of DeTour, Michigan; sisters-in-law, Nancy Bennett of Hillman, Michigan, Kathy Wheeler of Goetzville, Michigan, Helen Spencer of Texas, Carol (Jim) Cryderman of Cedarville, Rhoda (Bill) Beacom of Pickford, Michigan, and Geraldine LaPrarie of Oklahoma. Chet is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Patricia VanDusen; sisters-in-law, Harriet Bennett and Sylvia Coveyou; brothers-in-law, Thomas Bennett, Melvin Spencer, Gerald Bennett, and Greg LaPrarie; and father and mother-in-law, Thomas and Eva Bennett. A Memorial Gathering will be held on October 20, 2018, from 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church in Hessel. A Memorial Mass will begin at 11:00 A.M. at the church. Interment will be at Cedar Cemetery in Cedarville. Memorial contributions may be made to Les Cheneaux Ambulance Auxiliary PO Box 453, Hessel, MI 49745 or Les Cheneaux Islands Fireman Auxiliary, PO Box 242, Cedarville, MI 49719. R. Galer Funeral Home in Pickford, Michigan is serving the family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rgalerfuneralhome.com.

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Chester Steven Kasper Jr.

December 24, 1935 - October 10, 2018