Chayton L. Wiescholek, 28, of Union City, passed away on Sunday, January 14, 2024 from injuries sustained in a hot air balloon accident in Eloy, Arizona.
A celebration of Chayton’s life will take place at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 27, 2024 at Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation, 1276 Tate Trail, Union City, MI 49094.
Visitation will also be held Saturday, January 27, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 2:00 PM at Lighthouse.
Chayton was born on December 19, 1995, to Gary Lee and Rhonda Lynn (Hoffman) Wiescholek, in Marshall. He graduated from Tekonsha High School with the Class of 2014. He attended Calhoun Area Career Center, learning welding his junior and senior year. Also, in his senior year, he enrolled at KCC’s RMTC Center earning an AWS (American Welding Society) Certificate for 2 inch 6 G welded pipe joint. For a short time, he worked for the Nestles Company in Kentucky. Chayton was currently working as an electrical/maintenance/welding technician at Continental Carbonic in Albion, Michigan. Chayton was planning to marry Kinsey Taylor in the near future.
Farm life began at an early age with him, strapped in a car seat fastened to the tractor fender, as he went to the fields alongside his dad at an age of less than 6 months old. Instead of playing in competitive sports in school, he was active in playing the drums in band, which later led him doing audio work and later starting his own DJ business. He enjoyed doing weddings, school proms and dances, along with graduations and parties. In his growing years he was in Cub Scouts and then Boy Scouts. He had lots of fun and gained a lot of knowledge with his dad by his side. He learned a lot during those years which he used with his primitive camping outings.
In his early teen years, he was invited to join “People to People” (A program set up by President Eisenhower in the early 1950’s to introduce our youth to other cultures following the Korean Conflict). Chayton made two trips to Europe and one to Central America, touring many countries on each of the trips, an experience that he treasured. While in his high school years, Chayton jumped at the opportunity to join his dad during a “Fly In” to Washington, DC. sponsored by the National Farmers Union to “lobby” for the “Farm Bill” that was going through the House at that time. They had meetings with Senators and Representatives, getting a front-line experience of the U.S. Government Operations.
Chayton was a very outgoing person. He helped in any way he could for those he knew and even those he didn’t. Chayton was helping his parents on their farm and was going to take it over in the near future. This past summer he and his father had finished erecting a grain bin that he was very proud of and was excited to start working on another bin beside it. Jeeping was a favorite past time activity. He loved going on short trips with Kinsey when they could, to wherever they wanted to go. He loved to camp, especially primitive, and to utilize his Jeep for such trips. Whenever it was possible, on a driving vacation, he drove his Jeep, mostly with top down if possible. Drummond Island seemed to be his favorite spot. Chayton loved doing anything adventurous.
Chayton was adored by all, and happiest when with his girlfriend Kinsey, whom he loved very much. When Chayton spoke of her, he always had a smile on his face. Chayton was very well known in the community of Tekonsha and will be greatly missed by all.
The Wiescholek family has many special friends including Jeff (Carrie) Stout, Ethan Stout and family, Wyatt (Laura) Stout and their daughter Riley, David (Tammy) Hughes, the Rafferty family, Rich (Stacy) Alden and their children Lily and Alistair, Melanie Taylor, Zack Taylor, Chad (Jodi Turnbull) Pollard, the entire Hoeltzel family, Patrick (Sharilyn) Carmickle, Nancy Taylor and Ed Schaub, and many, many more that were all special to Chayton in their own way.
Chayton is survived by his parents, Gary and Rhonda; his girlfriend Kinsey; his brother Chyene L. (Kristin) Wiescholek; his grandparents Harold (Ruby) Wiescholek and Bruce (Sharon) Bates; and his many aunts, uncles, and cousins, who Chayton was very close to.
Chayton was preceded in death by his grandfathers Linton Bennett and Nello L. Hoffman; his step-grandmother Janette Hoffman; his uncle Ralph Thurston; his aunt LaShell (Wiescholek) Yoder; and his cousins Tanner Wiescholek and Amy Lynn Hoffman.
Memorial donations may be made to Lighthouse, PO Box 161, Union City, MI, 49094, to assist with final expenses.
To honor Chayton’s love of Jeeps, the family encourages those who have Jeeps, to drive them to the service.
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