Chester "Chet" Donajkowski

Chester Henry Donajkowski, 94, of Cathro, Michigan passed away Saturday, October 25, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family.
Chester was born September 30, 1931, to the late Henry and Florence (Smigelski) Donajkowski.
He graduated in the 1st class of Catholic Central High School in June of 1951. After graduating he worked at many part time jobs until he enlisted in the Air Force in 1952 where he attended Cadet School and earned the rank of 2nd Lieutenant before being discharged to help his father in the trucking business. On June 12, 1954, he married his high school sweetheart Doris Rabinette, together they began raising six children; five boys and one girl. In December of 1957, his family moved to the Cathro area and in 1965 purchased the original Cathro Farm. After some remodeling to the original farmhouse, he moved his family to the farm in November of 1965. On May 13, 1966, the farmhouse burned to the ground and was eventually rebuilt and they moved back on the farm. In May of 1955, Chet was hired into Presque Isle Corporation. While working at Stoneport, he worked as a millwright, truck driver in the quarry and retired as a licensed electrician in March of 1994. Chester was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus.
As a hobby farmer he became known as the bunny farmer where at one time had about two hundred rabbits that he sold or gave away to neighbor kids. Chester eventually became interested in taking pictures at any family gathering, he was the man behind the camera. As the grandkids started arriving, he established what became known as Pumpkin Day that consisted of gathering all the pumpkins out of the field and a hayride around the farm with a big meal after. This tradition is still going on after 30 years even after the grandkids mostly grown still attend "Pumpkin Day".
Chester is survived by his wife, Doris of 71 years; five children, Joseph (Charlotte Gauthier) Donajkowski, Thomas Donajkowski, Timothy (Jackie) Donajkowski, Sandra (Mike) Holzman, Rick (Donna) Donajkowski; 11 grandchildren, Monica (Jim) Henski, Tom (Melissa Morgan) Bedient, Samara (Cooper O'Dell) Donajkowski, Xavier (Drew Branigan) Donajkowski and Tellis (Nicole) Donajkowski, Hannah and Lena Donajkowski, Clay, Colin and Lindsay Donajkowski, Ethan Holzman; five great-grandchildren, Jillian, Kaden, Jacob, Faith and Jimmy; one sister, Kathryn Kunze; daughter-in-law, Mary Stickler and many nieces and nephews.
Chester was preceded in death by his son, Samuel; six siblings, Harry Donajkowski, Margaret Alexander, James Donajkowski, John Donajkowski, Florence Samp, and Theresa Donajkowski.
Memorial visitation will take place at Bannan Funeral Home Friday, October 31, 2025, from 2-8 p.m. with military honors at 5 p.m. by VFW Post 2496 and a prayer service at 7 p.m. Memorial visitation will continue Saturday, November 1, 2025, at St. Casimir Catholic Church at 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. with Rev. Charles Donajkowski officiating.
Inurnment: Pilgrims Rest Cemetery
Memorials: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital