Chester "Chet" Long

Chester “Chet” Boyd Long, 77, of Mancelona, passed away on Friday, April 25, 2025, at Kalkaska Memorial Health Center with his loving family at his side. He was born on April 21, 1948, in Antrim, the son of Howard and Pauline (Alexander) Long.

Chet graduated from Mancelona High School in 1966, and shortly after he enlisted in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Upon being honorably discharged, Chet returned home to Mancelona, and on June 12, 1971, he married the love of his life, Loreta (Wilks) Long. They would go on to have three daughters together and Chet built a house to raise them in which he lived at until the day he passed. Chet worked as a foreman for Peninsula Construction in Traverse City for over forty years.

In his free time, Chet loved to ride around Northern Michigan on anything with an engine. He spent as much time as he could on his motorcycle (sometimes 200-300 miles a day), rode the trails on his RZR and four-wheeler, and snowmobiled in the winter. In his younger days, he used to hunt racoons with his hunting dogs and did his fair share of deer hunting.

Chet is survived by two daughters, Maria Beneux of Tennessee, and Gena Aguirre Garcia of Mancelona; his brother, Edward (Linda) Long of Mancelona; his sister, Maxine (Walt) Sommer of Rockford, MI; five grandchildren, Jasmine (Garrett) Bodnar, Autumn Latting, Whitney Weaver, Jorge Jr., and Ericka; and four great-grandchildren, Catherine, Niko, Eleanor, and Avery.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Loreta “Rita” (Wilks) Long; and his daughter, Malissa Long.

Chet’s family will celebrate his life privately.

Arrangements are in the care of the Mancelona Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Please sign his online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com