George Chelenyak

George Chelenyak passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, in Frankenmuth, Michigan at the age of 90. Born on October 22, 1931, in Delray, Michigan to Hungarian immigrant parents, John and Julia Chelenyak, he graduated from Southwestern High School and earned an associate’s degree from Henry Ford Community College. George married his wife, Shirley Ann Miller, on June 14, 1953. George and Shirley were married for 63 years before her death on February 1, 2016. Together they raised their three daughters in Lincoln Park with a close network of friends who they considered family. They spoke often about those friendships and the joy they brought to their lives. They were members of St. John Catholic Church in Delray, Christ the King Byzantine Catholic Church in Taylor, and then Christ the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Lincoln Park. In the mid-90s, George and Shirley fulfilled a dream and moved full-time to their lake house in Sugar Springs, near Gladwin, Michigan where they attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church. George worked in management at Ford Motor Company’s Woodhaven Stamping Plant for about 40 years. Ever the optimist, he was an entrepreneur before it was hip and spent the early years of his retirement embarking on a series of sales ventures – peddling anything from jewelry to signs to mortgages. Beyond pitching sales, George enjoyed volunteering in his community. He and Shirley were both active with the Wayne County Democratic Party. They often shared stories about little Stevie Wonder performing at Christ the King’s teen dances. Later in life, George deeply valued the friendships he made through Crime Stoppers of Mid-Michigan and his family was entertained by his exciting renditions of the Sugar Springs Goose Roundups. An avid Detroit Lions fan, George remained optimistic about the team and was certain they would eventually make it to the Superbowl. He eagerly looked forward to watching the Lions on Gameday despite their consistently abysmal performance. Clad in Lions’ gear, he regularly called his daughters to enthusiastically discuss the team’s prospects for the day. He is survived by his daughters, Nancy (Bruce) Drummond of Sheridan, Wyoming; Jill (Paul) Wojno of Vassar, Michigan, and Patti Chelenyak (Pat Offman) of Punta Gorda, Florida; and his sister-in-law, Rose Chelenyak, of Livonia, Michigan. Very much a morning person, his daughters remember waiting upstairs for him to go to work to avoid his chipper early morning routine and fondly recall the lingering smell of Mennen aftershave upon his departure. George was an active, intentional, and committed grandfather. He took great interest and pride in his grandchildren and provided them with a lifetime of care, encouragement, laughter, and love. He is also survived by his seven grandchildren including, Mark Drummond of Phoenix, Arizona, Jaime Drummond (Meredith Mead) of Jessup, Maryland, Glenn (Genny) Drummond of Basalt, Colorado, Abbey Wojno (Mauricio Lascano) of Decatur, Georgia, Adam Wojno (Elia Tait-Wojno) of Seattle, Washington, Tai Scelfo (Lindsay Schneider) of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Kayla (Adam) Wesley of Lowell, Michigan, along with 8 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. George was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Ann Chelenyak, his brothers, Julius “Duke” (the late Mary) Chelenyak and Johnny (Rose) Chelenyak, and his sister, Mary (the late Joseph) Baranyi. George was a member of Frankenmuth’s Blessed Trinity Catholic Church upon his passing. The family extends their special thanks to his care team at Covenant Glen of Frankenmuth, especially Brandy, Jasmine, Kelly, and Shantelle; Cindy and Stacey with Absolute Home Health and Hospice; and the many friends and neighbors in Vassar, Frankenmuth, and Gladwin who cared for George and supported the family over the last several years. A Memorial Mass will take place on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, 958 E. Tuscola St., Frankenmuth, MI 48734. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in George’s honor to Vassar Central Elementary’s clothing closet. Checks can be addressed to Vassar Public Schools, 220 Athletic Street, Vassar, MI 48768. Please note “George Chelenyak – Children’s Welfare Account” on the memo line. For information, please contact Fischer Family Funeral Services at (989) 755-8277. To express your condolences, please visit www.fischerfuneral.com.

George Chelenyak

October 22, 1931 - September 14, 2022