WINTER HAVEN - Mr. Louis Lester Chergoski, age 80, a resident of Winter Haven, Florida passed away on Saturday, January 6, 2007 at his residence due to a long respiratory illness.

Mr. Chergoski was born on February 7, 1926 in Streator, Illinois to John and Lizzie Chergoski. Mr. Chergoski was a resident of Winter Haven, Florida since 1957 coming from Streator, Illinois. Mr. Chergoski enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. upon attending Streator High School in 1943. He then participated in action against the enemy at Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands and in the occupation of Japan in World War II. Louis returned to Streator, Illinois following his Marine Career. Mr. Chergoski was affiliated with Santa Fe Railroad, Lipton Tea Company and Lindsey Brothers serving in distribution activities. When Mr. Chergoski returned to Florida in 1957 he joined Tampa Wholesale Plumbing in St. Petersburg, Florida where he was a Warehouse Manager and in 1960 he transferred with the company to Winter Haven, Florida in that capacity until he retired in 1989. Mr. Chergoski was an active member of The American Legion Post 8 of Winter Haven, Florida for the past 38 years. He served on the Executive Board, The Bar Committee, Sergeant at Arms, was the Official Car Parker for the Post, received the Ralph A. Glendening “Lifetime Achievement Award” in 2003 and he was of the Catholic Faith.

Mr. Chergoski was preceded in death by his parents, 4 brothers and 1 sister:

Mr. Chergoski is survived by his wife of 25 years – Jeanette H. Washington Chergoski of Winter Haven; 2 sons – Greg (Anna) Ethington of Lutz, Florida and David Ethington of Orlando, Florida: 1 daughter – Janice “Jan” Chergoski of Winter Haven, Florida: 3 sisters – Margie Nance of Celebration, Florida, Rosemary Schmitt of Streator, Illinois and Theresa Palvinato of Oldsby, Illinois: 2 stepsons – Kenneth Starling of St. Petersburg, Florida and Timmy Starling of Winter Haven, Florida: 1 stepdaughter – Shirley (Kerry) Gibson of Winter Haven, Florida: 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, January 10, 2007 from 1:30 – 2:00 P.M. (before services) at the funeral home. Funeral Services will be held 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, January 10, 2007 at the Oak Ridge Funeral Care, 2425 West Havendale Blvd, Winter Haven, Florida 33881. www.oakridgefuneralcare.com. Interment will follow at Rolling Hills Cemetery with the American Legion Honor Guard.