This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Charles Chapko’s last name.
DUPLAIN TWP. — A man who died in an Aug. 30 crash in rural Clinton County has been identified as Charles Chapko III, 24, of St. Johns.
Chapko was driving a vehicle that hit a tree and caught fire along Island Road, near Watson Road, shortly before 7:40 p.m. that day, the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office said. Chapko was ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene.
An online obituary described Chapko as “motivated, determined and unafraid to go after what he wanted.”
Chapko had a real estate license and owned and managed three rental properties in St. Johns. He also worked for DRB Transport as a milk truck driver, the obituary said.
“He made Christmas brighter for those in need, often mowed lawns for neighbors, and was always ready to lend a hand wherever it was needed,” the obituary said.
A “memorial gathering” is set for 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, at McGeehan Funeral Homes in St. Johns. A prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home with a “Trucker’s Tribute” to follow.
Contact Ken Palmer at kpalmer@lsj.com. Follow him on X @KBPalm_lsj.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Police release name of St. Johns man killed in weekend crash
Reporting by Ken Palmer, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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