Stephen Chismar

Stephen Chismar died peacefully at N.W. Toledo Ohio Hospice on April 29th, at age 84. Born on March 10, 1939, in Youngstown Ohio to the late Stephen V Chismar and Helen Chismar (Betsa). Stephen was the oldest of four boys, raised in Redford Twp Michigan, resided in Detroit Michigan and Toledo Ohio. Stephen was highly educated with an Associate degree (Cum Laude) in Applied Science and Quality Assurance from Owens State Community College in 2012; a Master of Business Administration degree in 1974 from Wayne State University and his Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University in 1962. Stephen was a member of the first graduation class at Thurston High School in Redford Michigan in 1957 where he was awarded the” Most Outstanding Michigan Athlete “after making “All-State Athlete” in 3 sports, Football, Wrestling and Track. Stephen was also a weightlifting champion in college at MSU. Stephen was drafted into the United States Army in 1963 and served with an Honorable Discharge in 1965. While serving in Germany he met and married (divorced), Gisela Chismar (Strasser), and had two children, Stephen Paul Chismar born in 1965 and Pia Jeannette Chismar born in 1966. Stephen struggled with a lifetime of Mental Illness which impacted all aspects of his life. Stephen was an avid practicing Catholic and member of GESU Catholic Church and Christ the King Catholic Church both in Toledo. Stephen LOVED Mass and daily praying of the Rosary. A strong faith in God and his savior Jesus Christ helped him sustain life through all his daily struggles. Stephen was an avid walker and cyclist. Stephen camped and hiked the longest scenic footpath in the world, the Appalachian Trail. All 2,190 miles. He lived a simple life, never owned a television and enjoyed N.P.R. radio and classical music. Stephen loved maintaining communication with family and friends via daily phone calls and genuinely enjoyed letters, postcards, and photos from his children. Stephen was preceded in death by both is parents, his son Stephen Paul Chismar and his brothers Jerome Chismar (Marilynn) and Philip Chismar (Ruth). Survived by his brother Frederick Chismar (Deborah), grandsons Rio and Sylvester, his daughter Pia Chismar and numerous nieces and nephews. Services will be held at 9am Friday August 11, 2023, at St. Thomas a ‘Becket Catholic Church,555 S. Lilly Rd, Canton Michigan; followed by entombment at Great Lakes National Cemetery located at 4200 Belford Rd, Holly Mi. at 1pm.

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