Chester E. "Chet" Geary

Chester E. “Chet” Geary, 91, passed away Monday, April 15, 2024 with his daughters Patricia and Allison at his side.

Chet was born September 10, 1932, in Sycamore, Ohio to Glen and Evelyn (Riedel) Geary. He married Judith “Judy” (Adams) on June 16, 1956.

Chet is survived by daughters Patricia (James) Johnson and Allison (Wayne) Marks; grandchildren Elliott C. Marks and Claire Melissa Marks; sister Patsy (Shawn) Barron; brother Jed (Marcia) Geary; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; son David; and sisters Marcile (McBride), Twila (Walton), and Jocelyn (Risley).

Chet spent most of his life in Sycamore, where he helped out on his family’s farm as a young man. He graduated from Sycamore High School (class of 1950). As a member of the track team, one of his fondest memories was competing in the state championship meet at Ohio State and watching Jesse Owens run a lap around the track. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, he returned to Sycamore and worked for General Electric.

Chet knew everyone around Sycamore . . . and everyone knew Chet. He enjoyed telling and hearing stories of Sycamore’s past and volunteering at the Mohawk Historical Society.

Family meant everything to Chet. He was passionate about researching his family tree and uncovering names, recording dates, collecting photographs, and gathering memorabilia from every branch—Geary, Riedel, Montz, Ohl, Dewalt, Klaiss, Cooper, and Kuhn. Some date as far back as the early 1800s and he even included those relatives he called “shirt-tail relations.”

In his later years, Chet enjoyed reading the daily newspapers and books about American history while his beloved dog Milo slept on his lap. He was a fixture at the neighborhood coffee shop where he made fast friends in his adopted town of Akron, Ohio.

Patricia and Allison would like to thank family, friends, neighbors, and all the medical personnel for their love and support.

A graveside service with military honors will be held Tuesday, April 23 at 12 noon at Pleasant View Cemetery in Sycamore.

Memorials in Chet’s memory may be made to the Mohawk Historical Society, 101 N. Sycamore Avenue, Sycamore, Ohio 44882.

Services in care of The Billow Funeral Homes & Crematory, 85 N. Miller Road  Akron, OH  44333.

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