Chester "Chet" M. Klugow

Chester "Chet" M. Klugow, 86, passed away at his home in Westville on August 14, 2025. He was born a son of the late Marvin and Eudora Klugow in Cokato, Minnesota on September 22, 1938. Chet married Helen Thomas on October 12, 1957, and the two would spend the next 67 years raising their family and making wonderful memories.

Following the move from Minnesota to Illinois, Chet found a job at Harrison Steel and later the Westville NAPA store. Chet dedicated nearly 40 years of his life to Daniel Farms, where he found solace in the fields working for Alan Daniel. As if the hard work on the farm wasn’t enough during the days, he also found evening work at TeePak, where he continued to work for over 20 years. Outside of work, Chet was a man of many passions. He had a deep interest in fixing up tractors, go-karts, and motorbikes, relishing the opportunity to restore and improve these machines. One of his favorite pastimes was participating in tractor pulls and stock car races, where his competitive spirit shone brightly. On occasion, he would even participate and usually place in the Illinois State Fairs. In his leisure time, he found joy in fishing, especially during his winters in Florida, where he and Helen would fish for Oscar, sharing their catches generously with friends and family. Chet also had a knack for carpentry. After completing the home he moved into, he took great pleasure in helping to build additional homes in his neighborhood. His favorite place to eat was the Eugene Covered Bridge Restaurant, owned by a good family friend, Shannon Thompson.

Chet is survived by his wife, Helen Klugow; his children Barry (Tammy) Klugow, Debra (Rex) Modglin, and Brian (Lisa Barney) Klugow; and grandchildren Justen Klugow, Jessica (Frank Sauro) Ziesman, Branden (Kayla) Klugow, Landon (Danielle) Klugow, Thomas Drake, Daniel Drake, Kayla (Matt) Clifford, Allison Clifford, Brian (Danelle) Klugow Jr., and Brittney (Aaron) Lane. He is also survived by 20 great-grandchildren; his siblings Janice (Jim) Brooks, Judy Klugow, Gary (Diane) Klugow, and Connie (Dan) Laney; as well as his wonderful cousin Carolyn Gooddale.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Sandy Klugow.

A funeral service celebrating Chet’s life will take place on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at 11:00 am at Sunset Funeral Home’s Urbas Chapel, located at 414 S. State Street in Westville. A visitation will be held prior to the service at the funeral home from 10:00 am – 11:00 am. He will be laid to rest at the Lithuanian Cemetery in Westville following the services. Please share fond memories, pictures, and videos with his family on his Tribute Wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.