Grandpa Mitch Chojnowski- August 9th, 2007

My Grandpa Mitch passed away on Thursday, August 9th, 2007. He lived a long life- full of adventure, travelling, hard work, and of course, lots of fishing and Polka dancing. It is hard to think that I will no longer see my grandpa when I go to Michigan to visit my family.
I will miss him a great deal...
I loved him very much.
Grandpa, thanks for always loving me...
I will never forget you.
You always inspired me...
Our son Isaac Mitchell Felix is named after my grandpa Mitch. I have attached a few pictures of Isaac and Grandpa Mitch from last summer. Isaac is only 2 months old in these pictures. I am so glad that he was able to meet his grandpa before he passed away.

Mitchell Joseph Chojnowski passed away peacefully on August 9, 2007 at Director’s Hall, Heritage Community of Kalamazoo. Mitchell was born August 24, 1917 in New London, Connecticut to Michael and Gladys Chojnowski, and resided in the Kalamazoo area since his graduation from Western Michigan University in 1939, and his marriage to Janet (Schlobohm), also in 1939. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in business administration from WMU, he worked 10 years for Standard Oil Company, until he established Mitch’s Standard Service, at the corner of Michigan and Westnedge, in Kalamazoo, which he owned and operated for over 30 years. The motto of his business was “We never close,” and it didn’t, until the tornado of 1980, which destroyed his building. Mitchell had a passion for fishing, which he pursued on Gull Lake with regularity. He also enjoyed many trips around the world with Janet and their friends, including fishing trips on every continent. Mitchell was preceded in death by Janet, his wife of more than 60 years, his daughter, Linda J. Berkel, and his granddaughter, Melanie Noel Chojnowski. Surviving are his two sons, Larry D. and wife, Mary Jo Chojnowski of Larkspur, Colorado, and Michael L. and wife, Margaret J. Chojnowski of Richland, as well as eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and his brother, Walter, of Hot Springs, Arkansas. A private Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Ann Catholic Church, Gull Lake, and cremation will take place. Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or to Heritage Community of Kalamazoo. Arrangements by Betzler Funeral Homes, Stadium Drive, West of US-131, (269) 375-2900.