Kulpmont - Chester "Chet" M.  Gard, 92, passed away on Saturday, September 22, 2018 with his family by his side at GeisingerMedicalCenter in Danville, PA

He was born in Kulpmont, July 12, 1926, the eldest of the late Morris and Philomena (Bruno) Gard. He attended Kulpmont High School and furthered his education by taking courses at both Bloomsburg and Susquehanna Universities.

Chet served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Herndon in the Pacific Ocean theater of World War II.  This year, as Easter Sunday was on April 1st, he recalled being in the initial invasion of the Battle of Okinawa on Easter Sunday, April 1, 1945.  He was proud to serve his country; service became his lifelong passion.

On May 31, 1952 in the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church (now Holy Angels), Kulpmont, he married the love of his life, Ann Kovalchick of Mount Carmel.  They were blessed with 66 years and four months of a wonderful life together.

After serving his country, Chet joined the Merchant Marines. He was a former insurance agent for Metropolitan and a former auditor with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  In 1972, he established the H&R Block Tax Office in Shamokin.  During his 28 years in tax, he also owned and operated several satellite offices.

He was a life member of Kulpmont's East End Fire Company, the American Legion, VFW, Lions Club and Holy Angels Holy Name Society. He served multiple terms as Kulpmont Fire Chief, President of the Kulpmont Lions, and Historian and Secretary of the American Legion.  Chet was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus in Kulpmont where he held the distinction of 3rd degree Knight.  He also held the distinction of 4th degree Knight with Mount Carmel.  He was an active member of the church community--including singing in the choir.

Chet lived life to its fullest. He loved making others laugh and smile.  For over thirty-five years he played Santa Claus for the Lions Club and UNICO as they visited residents at Selinsgrove State School.

An avid golfer, Chet enjoyed every minute of walking whatever course he played. He also loved to travel, especially to the Southwest to visit his granddaughter.  His outings were increasingly difficult this past year, but that didn't stop him from opening BINGO at Holy Angels Picnic in August or being the Grand Marshal at the Kulpmont 100 First Responders Day Parade on September 8th.  He was an exceptional human being who was loved by his family, friends, and all who had the pleasure of knowing him.  He will be missed.

In addition to his wife, Chet is survived by daughter, Diane Brennan and her husband William of Arizona; daughter Karen Gard of Pennsylvania; daughter Lisa Gard of New York; one granddaughter, Ashley Brennan of California; brothers Nick Gard and his wife Shirley of Kulpmont; Joe Gard of Florida; Morris Gard and his wife Linda of South Carolina; one sister Anna Marie (Gard) Voloshin of Kulpmont; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, Chet was preceded in death by his sister Mary Gard, brother-in-law John Voloshin and sister-in-law Cathy Gard.

FUNERAL NOTICE

Chester "Chet" M. Gard, 92, of Kulpmont - Relatives, friends and neighbors are invited to attend a funeral mass on Thursday, September 27, 2018 at 11:00 in Holy Angels Church, 855 Scott Street, Kulpmont with Father Andrew Stahmer, officiating.  Burial will be in All Saints Cemetery, Elysburg.  Visitation will be held Wednesday evening, September 26, 2018 from 6:00 - 8:00 with Transferal Prayers at 7:30 in the C.J. Lucas Funeral Home, Inc., 1053 Chestnut Street, Kulpmont, C.J. Lucas, Supervisor.  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Mt. Carmel Public Library, 30 South Oak Street, Mount Carmel, PA 17851 or Church of the Holy Angels, 855 Scott Street, Kulpmont, PA 17834.  To send condolences to the family please visit www.cjlucasfuneralhome.com