Peter was born in Toledo, Ohio, on November 17, 1930 to parents Peter and Mary (Nee Kozumplik) Chrenka. Eventually, the family relocated to Michigan, first Hamtramck and then Detroit, where Peter completed high school at Denby High School in Detroit. After graduating high school, he continued to do photography, but entered a journeyman program to become a machinist. Peter married his first wife, Carolyn Grace Radtke, on December 27, 1951, just prior to being drafted into the Army. After 2 years in the Army, he studied electrical engineering at Lawrence Institute of Technology and took business courses at a local college. After a nearly 20-year career as a machinist, he opened his own company named “Copyrite Machine and Tool Co.” which he operated for almost 25 years.
Peter is survived by his second wife of 22 years, Donna Chrenka; his children, Peter James Chrenka Jr II, Cathleen Chrenka, and Cynthia (Bill) Richardson; 4 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Mary Chrenka, his first wife of 44 years, Carolyn Chrenka, his brother Paul Chrenka, and his daughter, Christine Windorf.
A visitation for Peter will be held Friday, January 13, 2023 from 12-8 PM at Resurrection Funeral Home, 40800 Hayes Road, Clinton Township, MI 48038. An in-state visitation will follow Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 10 AM, until time of funeral mass at 10:30 AM at St. Ronald Catholic Church, 17701 15 Mile Rd, Clinton Township, MI 48035. Donations are appreciated to the St. Clair Shores Senior Center.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.resurrectionfuneralhome.com for the Chrenka family.
