Chester “Chet” Graddy, age 93, of Bay View Manor, Gladstone and former Rapid River area resident died Sunday morning, January 25th, 2004 at the Christian Park Health Care Center in Escanaba.
“Chet” was born February 15th, 1910 in Fairfield, IL. the son of George and Lillian (Brown) Graddy and was raised in Fairfield. He later relocated to the Detroit area for employment. He subsequently moved to Muskegon, MI and owned and operated “Chet’s Poultry Farm” for seven years until returning to Detroit where he made and sold ice cream owning and operating “Chet’s Ice Cream and Custard” for 26 years.After his retirement, he moved to the Rapid River area in 1972 and worked part-time as a bartender at “Woody’s Bar” in Rapid River.
Chet was a member of the Congregational Church of Rapid River and the Rapid River Senior Citizens were he initiated the Bingo program at the Omni Center as a fund raiser. He was also a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge in Detroit.
Chet enjoyed the outdoors, deer hunting, and gardening and was always known as a kind and gentle man. Chester Graddy’s survivors include: A special sweet-heart, Evelyn Johnson, of Gladstone and her children: including Mary (Richard) Chouinard of Wisconsin, nieces; nephews; cousins; and other wonderful friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife: the former Leone Roberts, in 1980; and by sisters: Vernice and Iva Maxwell.
Visitation for Chester “Chet” Graddy will be held on Thursday, January 29th at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Funeral Service will follow on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. at the Skradski Funeral Home with Rev. William Rafuse of the Congregational Church of Rapid River officiating. Luncheon will follow services at the Congregational Church Fellowship Hall. Burial will be in the Rapid River Cemetery.