Henry John Chmelar

Henry John Chmelar, age 90, devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully at The Meadows of Owosso Assisted Living Home on December 21, 2024.
Henry was born on the family farm in New Lothrop, MI on July 16, 1934, to the late Michael and Marie (Hajek) Chmelar who immigrated to the US from Czechoslovakia. Henry married his true love, Lois Lare, in New Lothrop on November 5, 1955; they celebrated 69 years of marriage just last month. Together, they raised three children – Nancy, Tom, and Barbara.
Henry was employed by General Motors AC Spark Plug Division as a Journeyman Cutter Grinder for 42 years and maintained his 34-acre family farm for many years, growing wheat and soybeans even after he retired from GM in 1992. After his retirement, Henry and Lois spent many years as snowbirds, spending their winters in Florida enjoying the sun, time with friends, and time on the golf course.
Henry enjoyed life to the fullest and was involved in many activities throughout his life. He was a skilled athlete when it came to bowling and golf, accomplishing both a 300 game in bowling and a hole-in-one on the golf course. Henry loved dancing with Lois, and spent many hours polka and square dancing with her as the opportunities arose. They went on numerous trips and visited many places around the world with their children, family, and friends.
You would often find Henry in the center of a crowd, hosting and entertaining friends and family. He had the best and most contagious laugh, and loved to bring others joy, smiles, and laughter with the original games he would create for parties and holidays, hosting family gatherings, and having golf outings at the farm on his own personally maintained three-hole golf course.
Henry also had a passion for cars. His dream of owning a Cadillac finally became a reality in the early 1980's. After that, he owned and drove several others in the years that followed. In more recent years, he was the proud owner of the brightest yellow Hummer H3, lovingly maintaining it and enjoying every moment behind its steering wheel. You couldn't miss him driving around New Lothrop in it.
Henry loved and cherished his family very much. He is survived by his wife Lois, their three children - daughter, Nancy (Earl) Dice; son, Thomas (Kelly) Chmelar; and daughter, Barbara (David) Kral; grandchildren Brett (Terri) Dice and Brandi (Kristi Ward) Dice, Chelsey (Kyle) Saari, Brooke (Michael) Taipale, and Allison Chmelar; step-grandchildren Nathan (Alexia) Ballantine and Rachel (Drew) Barker; great-grandchildren Sierra and Aaron Dice, and Marek Saari; and step-great grandchildren Milo and Maia Ballantine and Lake, Forest, and Sky Barker. He is also survived by his older brother, Edward Chmelar and sister, Marion Krcmarik and many loving nieces, nephews and their families. Henry was preceded in death by his parents, sister Mildred Chmiko, sister-in-law Sharon Chmelar, brother-in-law August Krcmarik, and nephew Michael Krcmarik.
Henry's family thanks The Meadows of Owosso staff for the wonderful care and
compassion they have provided for our father during his time as a resident and shown to all of us during this difficult time
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, January 5, 2025 at 1:00pm, with a luncheon to follow, at the Maple Grove Township Hall, 4017 Peet Road in New Lothrop
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Meadows of Owosso Activities Program.