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Chester Joseph Mientkiewicz , 91, of Niles died Friday, November 6, 2020, at his residence.
Chester was born Oct. 29, 1929 in Erie, Pa, the son of Walter and Mary (Sielski) Mientkiewicz. He grew up in McKean and Erie Pa. the youngest of twelve children. He joined the United States Marine Corp at the age of 16 where he served for two years, earned his GED, and received an honorable discharge into the Fleet Reserve. He sailed on the Great Lakes for the Kinsman Marine Transit Company owned by George Stienbrenner where he held positions as deck hand and helmsman. He was recalled by the United States Marine Corp to active duty for the Korean Conflict where he served as an Amphibious Assault Vehicle coxin. He remained stateside and attained the rank of Sergeant. After his discharge, he returned to Great Lakes employment for three years until his Captain told him to go home and marry his hometown sweetheart Betty (Drown) Mientkiewicz. She met him in port at Conneaut, Ohio and they left the harbor to start a new life together. They were married October 24, 1953, raised a family of nine children and enjoyed 60 years of marriage together. Chester worked construction for EE Austin of Erie, Pa. from 1953 to 1957 building family homes. He became a journeyman pipefitter working for Erie Forge and Steel in Erie,Pa. from 1957 - 1969. He then found employment at the General Motors Lordstown plant and moved to Niles in 1970. Chester worked as a pipefitter for the maintenance department at GM where he made many lifelong friends. He retired from GM in 1995 and he and Betty enjoyed many years together filled with family events and traveling the country. A longtime member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Niles, Chester lived a life of faith and devotion to Our Lord and his family.
Chester was a devoted and loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather and will be deeply missed by his five sons, Peter (Tracy) Mientkiewicz of Niles, Steven (Joy) Mientkiewicz of Rushford, N.Y., Greg (Colleen) Mientkiewicz of Niles, Tim Mientkiewicz of Waterford, Pa., and David (Kathy) Mientkiewicz of Kinsman; three daughters Julanne (Bob) Follmeyer of Howland, Karen (Ralph) Macali of Howland, Rosellen Mientkiewicz of Springfield, Mo., grandchildren; Jason (Erika) Hart, Joel (Chrissy) Follmeyer, Elizabeth (Troy) Ledbetter, Michael Mientkiewicz, Rachel Mientkiewicz, Steven (Tessa) Mientkiewicz, Dr. Lauren Mientkiewicz, Stuart Mientkiewicz, Nicholas Mientkiewicz, Charlean (Jeremy) Clawson, Zebadiah (Lauren) Mientkiewicz, Zekiel (Kristin) Mientkiewicz, Zechariah (Brianna Adams) Mientkiewicz, Raegan Stack, Atty. Christopher (Natalie Blake) Macali, Quinn Macali, Tyler (fiancé Maria Brown) Macali, Anne Mientkiewicz, Jane Mientkiewicz, Kate Mientkiewicz, Chester Mientkiewicz, and Corry Mientkiewicz and great-grandchildren; Madison, Nolan, Elayne, Peter, Harrison, Dominic, Lyla, Alex, Juliette, Grant, Anne and Julian. Also considered a part of our family are exchange student Faye Cardona and her daughter Isabel of East Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia.
Chester was preceded in death by his wife Betty (Feb 22, 2014), 5 brothers; Stanley (Bertha) Kiewice, Walter, Leonard (Pearl), Carl (Irene), Edward (Charlene), 4 sisters; Frances (Raymond) Czarnecki, Theresa (Harold) Gibson, Millie (Joseph) Maciulewicz, Dorothy (Leonard) Bierzonski, two siblings lost in infancy, son Patrick Mientkiewicz and a great-granddaughter, Emma Hart.
Calling hours will be held from 9:30am – 10:30am on Monday, November 9, 2020 at The Joseph Rossi and Sons Funeral Home in Niles. Due to the current health situation, social distancing measures are expected to be observed and friends coming to pay respects to the family are kindly asked to promptly depart the funeral home after doing so. Facial coverings are mandatory also.
Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00am Monday at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Niles where social distancing and facial covering are mandatory.
Burial will be in Niles City Cemetery where Chester will be honored for his military services by The Trumbull County American Legion Honor Guard.
The family would like to thank Ohio Living Hospice, Dr. Awadalla and the Cleveland Clinic physicians and staff who cared for Chester.
Material contributions in memory of Chester may be made to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church 381 Robbins Avenue Niles, Ohio 44446.
Arrangements are being handled by The Joseph Rossi and Sons Funeral Home in Niles.
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