Jeffrey E. Chichester, 64, of Athens, passed away unexpectedly at home from natural causes Friday, September 22, 2023.
A celebration of life gathering will be held from 1:00-3:45 p.m. Friday, September 29, 2023 at Lighthouse of Athens, 310 S. Capital Ave., Athens, MI 49011.
Immediately afterward, Jeff will be interred with his wife at Burr Oak Cemetery in Athens at 4:00 p.m., with Marcia Chichester officiating the graveside service.
The family is being assisted by Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation.
Jeff was born October 13, 1958 in Coldwater, Michigan to Earle and Shirley (Horner) Chichester. He grew up in Athens and lived there his entire life.
Jeff graduated from Athens High School in 1976, then attended Ferris State, where he earned an associate degree in metallurgy. He held several different jobs throughout his life, ranging from automotive repair to self-employed information technology specialist, but his favorite work was with Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation. His diverse skillset was greatly appreciated and he enjoyed being a part of the team, serving his community.
August 6, 2010, Jeff married the former Amy Roe in Battle Creek. They had hit it off the first time they met and were very devoted to one another. She was the love of his life.
Jeff was an avid sportsman who enjoyed camping, traveling with his wife, and taking photos with his drone. He also enjoyed cooking, grilling and baking. He made dinner rolls and snickerdoodles for family gatherings. Culver’s and Das Dutchman Essenhaus were his favorite restaurants, along with The Office in Athens with the Wednesday night crew.
Jeff liked classic 60’s & 70’s music. He was smart and had an encyclopedic knowledge of random information. He knew almost everyone who had ever lived in Athens. He also had an opinion about everything, an acronym for everything and enjoyed being right. Jeff had a very dry wit. He was a great friend, who was always willing to lend an ear, a shoulder or a ride to an appointment. He would do anything for anybody.
He especially enjoyed things with wheels, graduating from riding dirt bikes as a youngster to a road bike as a young man. His plan for cruising into retirement was on a Harley and a Gold Wing. Jeff will be remembered for his intelligence, helpfulness and sense of humor.
He is survived by his brother, Ted (Marcia) Chichester of Zephyrhills, FL; nephews and niece, Zac (Erica) Chichester of Jackson, Tiffany (Aaron) Anderson of Kalamazoo, Marc (Aleesha) Nichols of Loveland, CO and Tyler Nichols of Portage; five special nieces: Sophia, Phoebe, Sarah, Katelynn and Emma; four great-nephews; mother-in-law, Connie Roe; brother-in-law Eric (Keri) Roe of Athens; sister-in-law, Angela (Isaac) Rapson of Battle Creek; many friends; and his five “Chinese chickens” (cats).
Jeff was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Amy (2022); and father-in-law, Brian Roe.
Memorial donations are suggested to the Athens VFW Post #5319, P.O. Box 161, Athens, MI 49011.
Comments