January 11, 1938 – July 20, 2024
David Chemelewski, 86, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away unexpectedly on July 20, 2024. He was born on January 11, 1938, to Tad and Ceil Chemelewski in Peru, Ill.
David graduated from LaSalle-Peru Township High School, where he worked in the family ice and coal delivery business, earned the Boy Scouts’ highest rank of Eagle Scout, and excelled in swimming and various high school sports. Upon graduation, David enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving as an aviation electronics technician on an aircraft carrier. After four years of dedicated service, he pursued higher education at Indiana Tech in Fort Wayne, Ind., earning a BS in Electrical Engineering in just three years. At Indiana Tech, David was an active member of Sigma Phi Delta Fraternity, serving as treasurer and president of the Fort Wayne Alumni Association. It was in Fort Wayne that he met the love of his life, Mary Kay Wehrle. After dating for a short period of time, they were married on August 8, 1964.
Upon graduation, David embarked on a lifelong career with RCA in Marion, Ind., where he and Mary Kay began their family. His career took them to Lancaster, Pa., where they spent 17 thriving years. David enjoyed traveling the world for his job, including memorable visits to Poland where he connected with distant relatives. Throughout his career at RCA, he earned various certifications, including Professional Engineer status.
David and his family cherished summer boating and water-skiing trips, as well as winter snow-skiing adventures. An avid athlete, he enjoyed playing racquetball, tennis, and golf, maintaining his passion for sports even at the age of 86. Together with Mary Kay, David was a member of numerous dinner, euchre, and bridge groups. As a lifelong Catholic, he was an active member of Our Lady of Grace in Noblesville and devoted significant time to St. Vincent de Paul, where he applied his expertise to refurbish donated electronics for resale. Always the problem-solver, David even designed a dumb-waiter to aid the food pantry in efficiently distributing food. He also invented the Automobile Entry Detector for a Garage, for which he was awarded a patent in 2006. His children always said “Daddy will fix it” whenever something was broken.
In retirement, David and Mary Kay traveled extensively throughout the United States, visiting family, skiing, and enjoying the Caribbean with their children and grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, David was preceded in death by his brother, Tad Chemelewski, and sister-in-law, Joyce (Ken).
David is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Kay (Wehrle); his three children, Karen (Paul) Roberts, Jeffrey Chemelewski, and Stefani (Bruce) Inskeep; grandchildren, Emily (Zach) Meyer, George Roberts, Megan Inskeep, Matthew (Molly) Inskeep, and Tyler Chemelewski; great-grandson, Noah Meyer; brothers, Ken and Gary (Nancy); and sister-in-law Judy Chemelewski.
A Memorial Mass will be conducted at 3 p.m. Friday, July 26, 2024, at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 9900 E. 191st St., Noblesville. Following Mass, the family welcomes everyone to attend the reception.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in memory of David, be considered to St. Vincent de Paul and Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. Envelopes will be available at the church.
Bussell Family Funerals is privileged to assist the family in arrangements.
Condolences: bussellfamilyfunerals.com