Dareck 'Lumpy' Cherwinski

Dareck "LUMPY" Cherwinski, age 59, of East Tawas, died Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, at his East Tawas home, surrounded by numerous family and friends after a short battle with cancer.
Dareck was born on Oct. 15, 1966, to parents Richard and Beverly Cherwinski of Vanderbilt. He was a beloved son, brother, uncle, husband, friend and confidante. He was larger than life in both personality and stature.
His big bad biker demeanor was strictly on the outside, however. Those that knew Lumpy knew him to be a big old teddy bear with a heart of pure gold. He had a true heart of service to others. He loved deeply, mentored many, and made it his life mission to step into the gap for others in need. More times than can be counted, he picked up the tab for a Vet, anonymously paid a bill for someone in need, donated and rode for many amazing causes, and was just an all-around hero in disguise.
He was a Co-Founder of the RugRats Ride and Rissi's Ride charity organizations that helped fund so many wonderful youth organizations in the Tawas area for many years. Lumpy took great pride in planning out and leading those rides to make them safe and fun for all. It was never a surprise to anyone when one of the rides stops would include an ice cream shop along the way.
Dareck loved living in the Tawas area. Some of his favorite moments were serving along with his wife as the 2018 Perchville King and Queen, and the many years they decorated their home and held their annual Halloween open houses for the public. It made his heart so happy to see all the children and their families stop by over the years, which has now become those children with their own children.
His true passion was riding his motorcycle. He didn't have friends, he had family. He enjoyed so many meaningful rides over the years. Sometimes with one or two of his brothers and sisters and sometimes with hundreds of them. He loved camping, rock hounding, helping at the Cherwinski Sap Shack, sitting around a bonfire with his crew and card nights with family.
What held his heart the most was time spent with his granddaughters. He was an attentive and loving father, a devoted and loyal husband, a cherished son, a kind brother and brother-in-law, a fun uncle, a loving Godparent and all-around amazing friend.
Dareck is survived by his wife of 23 years, Kristin Cherwinski of East Tawas; two sons, Keegan Cherwinski of East Tawas and Zane (Kristina) DeBeck and his beautiful granddaughters Tessa and Sophie of Bourbonnais, Ill. He is further survived by his father, Richard Cherwinski; and sister, Suzanne (Jon) Coveyou and their children Tai and Maeli. Also surviving are his mother in-law and father in-law, many sisters and brothers in law, nieces and nephews, Godchildren, and more cherished friends than could ever be counted.
Dareck was predeceased by his mother, Beverly Cherwinski; nephew, Jacob Arnold; father-in-law, William H. DeBeck Jr.; many aunts, uncles, grandparents and many riding brothers.
Visitation will be held at Buresh Funeral Home, 416 Whittemore St., Tawas City on Saturday, Jan. 24, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a 1 p.m. service and luncheon to follow at Tawas Bay Fraternal Order of Eagles along US-23.