Chester D. Teater

Chester D. Teater, age 76, a resident of Middleville, Michigan and frequent visitor to Englewood, Florida passed away on Sunday, February 27, 2022. He was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan on February 25, 1946 to Ruth (Omweg) Teater and Lester C. Teater. Together for 41 years, Chet is survived by his beloved wife, Cindy (Rappleye) Teater; a daughter, Luanne Verner (Ronald Jr.); sisters, Gertrude (Raymond) Hawkins and Janet (Bart) Dalley; sister-in-law, Carol Teater Ruthruff and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ruth and Lester Teater; his son, David E. Teater; sisters, Ella Jackson, Pauline Takens and his brother, George Teater. Chet spent most of his youth growing up on the family farm in Caledonia before moving to Redkey, Indiana, where Chet graduated from Redkey High School in 1964. Retiring after a full career with various Bell Telephone companies in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area, Chet started his own telecommunications company, Thornapple Communications. Sometime after 10 years or so of being his own boss, he retired and heeded the call of outdoor adventures, summer music festivals, motorcycles, vintage autos - for that matter, anything that goes fast, his guitar and volunteering for friends, family, and veterans in need. Chet loved travel, enjoying the many people that crossed his path and became lifelong friends. Through volunteering, Chet developed a knack for bringing diverse groups together to work to change the world around them. A proud veteran of the U.S. Army, Chet served during the Vietnam war. A past Commander and active member of the Caledonia American Legion Post 305, he was the 2007 Kent County Veteran of the Year. Visitation will be held from 9:30 am to 11 am on Tuesday, March 15 at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 616 E. Main St. SE, Caledonia. Funeral services will be at 11 am on Tuesday, March 15 following visitation at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to: ‘The Cpl Joshua Hoffman Memorial Scholarship ℅ Caledonia American Legion Post 305, or a charity of your choice.