ELKHART — Chester “Chet” L. Skwarcan, 86, passed away at 10:30 p.m. Sunday at Hamilton Trace Assisted Living Center.

Chester was born Oct. 5, 1926 in South Bend, to Ike and Vera (Pinkowski) Skwarcan. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Arthur, Daniel and Leonard Skwarcan.

He is survived by his children, Rebecca Foster of Carmel, Bruce (Lee) Skwarcan of Elkhart, Chet (Pat) Skwarcan of Danville, Tamara (Lee) Stephan of Fishers, Kenneth (Lori) Skwarcan of Carmel, Shelly DeBusk of McCordsville, Cynthia (Tod) Rash of Fort Wayne and Jason (Jo Ellen) Skwarcan of Fishers; and their mother, Alice Skwarcan; 18 grandchildren, Jennifer Foster, Krista (Michael) Lyons, Mark and Michael Skwarcan, April (Brandon) Lewis, Megan (Justin) Herald, Andrew, Amy (Brad) Merkley, Aaron Skwarcan, Tyler, Adam (Kelsey) and Aaron Rash, Cameron, MacKenzie, and Austin Skwarcan, Elijah and Hannah Debusk and Parker Skwarcan; four great-grandchildren, Riley, Landon, Ashley and Avery. He is also survived by a special sister-in-law, Phyllis Skwarcan.

He honorably served his country for two years in the United States Navy Seabees during World War II. Chet was an usher for St. Vincent de Paul Church, where he was a parishioner since 1962. Chet was a graduate of South Bend Catholic High Central and Purdue University. He retired in 1989 after 40 years of service from Reith-Riley Construction Company Inc. as a division manager. He was also a land surveyor, professional engineer and after retirement, sold real estate for Cressy and Everett Realty.  He enjoyed playing the drums for 35 years and proudly served on the St. Joseph Funeral Home and Cemetery Board of Directors.

Visitation will be Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at St. Joseph Funeral Home, 824 S. Mayflower Road, South Bend, where a vigil will be prayed at 7:30 p.m.

A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at noon Friday at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1108 S. Main St., Elkhart, where friends and family may gather one hour prior to the Mass.

Cremation and a private burial will take place at a later date in St. Joseph Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Vincent Hospice, in care of St. Vincent Foundation, 8402 Harcurt Road, Suite 210, Indianapolis, IN 46260 or American Legion Post 143, 905 Maple St., Bristol, IN 46507.

Condolences for the family may be made at www.sjfh.net