Chester “Chet” Lubecki Sr. passed away at the age of 98 on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Lebanon, PA. Born in Nanticoke on May 18, 1927, he was the son of the late Tekla Kruschinitsky Lubetski and the late Frank Lubetski. His loving wife, Julia, preceded him in death, as well as his sisters, Jean Zaroda and Stella Armstrong, and brothers, John, Joseph, Edward, Felix, and Walter. He is survived by his son, Chester Jr. (Nora); grandchildren, Matthew (Elva), Nicholas (Laura), and Justin; and great-grandchildren, Baron and Luke. Chet was delighted to know that another grandson is expected later this year. In addition, he is survived by his girlfriend, Janet Smith; nephew, David Lubetski (Dawn), and his family; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was a life member of the American Legion Post #350, Nanticoke Senior Citizens Center, and NARFE Federal retirees. In his younger years, his hobbies were gardening, picking berries, wine making, hiking, and fishing with his beloved wife, Julia. When they were young, his grandchildren cherished the time they spent with him working on projects in the garage and taking trips to Ricketts Glen and Moon Lake. Their gardening successes inspired two of their grandchildren to become farmers. In his later years, he was an avid walker and pinochle player and enjoyed sharing stories with friends at Oplinger Towers and Kindred Place.
Chet enlisted in the Navy during World War II at the age of 17. After his Navy discharge, he went on to receive his high school GED, attend Morris County Community College, Newark College of Engineering, and the apprenticeship school for tool, die, and gauge making at Picatinny Arsenal. He primarily worked at Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey as a tool and die maker and as a manufacturing engineer at the Chrysler Corp in Eyon, PA. His retirement jobs included work as a toolmaker at the Budd Corp and a mechanical designer at Princeton Lab.
Chet was an active member of two Polish National Catholic Churches in the Wyoming Valley until their respective closures. He lived his faith by praying daily and actively helping his neighbors with various needs. Honest and humble, he was always willing to lend a hand. Chet will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by those who knew him.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Feb. 3, 2026, at Kreamer Funeral Home, 618 E. Main St., Annville, PA, with Fr. Stephen officiating. Family and friends may call from 10-11 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Committal with military honors will follow at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA, where Chet will be laid to rest with his love, Julia. In addition, a remembrance celebration is being planned in Nanticoke around Chet Sr.’s birthday in May.
