Chicago resident Christopher Alan Chek of Chicago and formerly of Dover, Ohio and Chesterton died Monday, August 9, 2010 after accidentally being electrocuted while losing his balance and falling on the CTA tracks. He was 31.

He was born January 8, 1979 in Canton, Ohio. He is survived by his mother, Cynthia (husband John) Rademacher of Niles, Ill. and formerly of Chesterton; his father, Gregory A. (wife Kimberly Reichman) Chek of Dover; sister, Jordan Chek of Dover; sons Caleb Christopher Kelley of Chesterton and Madden Chek of Hagerstown, Md.; paternal grandmother, Dorothy Chek of New Philadelphia; maternal grandparents, Ron and Betty Render of Valparaiso; stepgrandmother, Nancy Reichman of Dover; Madden’s mother, Kati Kuehling of Hagerstown; Caleb’s grandparents, Dan and Sue Kelley of Chesterton; and aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Chris was preceded in death by paternal grandfather John Chek, maternal stepgrandfather Howard “Dick” Reichman and Caleb’s mother, Dana Kelley.

Chris worked for a maintenance service company in Chicago. He graduated from the Buckeye Career Center in 2003 and then attended Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts School in Pittsburgh, Pa., where he graduated in 2005. He enjoyed traveling, had a passion for trains, riding the rails, and bicycles. He dearly loved his family. He was baptized in the Grace Lutheran Church in Dover.

A memorial celebration of Chris’ life will be held Wednesday, August 18 at 11 a.m. in the Grace Lutheran Church at Dover with Rev. Donald Rice Jr. officiating. Inurnment will follow in the Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory at Dover and at the church Wednesday from 10 to 11a.m.　Those unable to attend or who may wish to express a fond memory of Chris may sign the online guestbook by visiting the “obituaries” link on the funeral home website at www.tolandherzig.com

Memorial contributions may be made to the Christopher Chek Memorial Fund, c/o First Federal Community Bank, 321 N. Wooster Ave., Dover, Ohio 44622 to be used for the benefit and future education of his two sons.

Posted 8/16/2010