FT. MYERS BEACH, Fla. — Chester C. "Kaz" Kazmierczak, 90, of Ft. Myers Beach, Florida and formerly of Elkhart, passed away peacefully of natural causes at his home on Friday, June 23, 2017.

He was born Aug. 12, 1926 in South Bend to the late Clements and Lillian (Nowak) Kazmierczak, and later married Norma Jarrell, who passed away in 1992.

Surviving are his sons Mark (Pam) Kazmierczak of Granger, Kurt (Norena) Kazmierczak of Valparaiso, and Gary (Martha) Kazmierczak of Union, Michigan; a brother Ray Kazmierczak of Ann Arbor, Michigan; sister Evelyn (Jerry) Hardesty of South Bend; five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

A daughter, Vickie Polachek and a brother, Ernest Kazmierczak precede him in death.

There will be a brief viewing at Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart on Friday, June 30, 2017 at 10 a.m. followed by a procession to Rice Cemetery at 11 a.m., where graveside services and military honors will be rendered by the USMC Funeral Honor Guard and Elkhart DAV #19.

Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart has been assisting the family with arrangements.

Kaz was the owner of BTC Cabinets of Goshen for nearly 50 years. He belonged to the Loyal Order of the Moose, the DAV and the American Legion, and held memberships in Indiana and Florida.

When he wasn't working, Kaz enjoyed traveling and photography. He also served as an automatic rifleman in the United States Marine Corps in the Pacific Theater during WWII.

Memorial donations may be given to your local USMC "Toys for Tots" Chapter.