Age 48 of Kalamazoo passed away Saturday evening, January 10, 2026. Chet was born in Kalamazoo on August 7, 1977, the son of Timothy Allen and Frankie Jo (Salisbury) Christner. On October 4, 2024, he married Melissa Wall who survives him. Chet was an animal whisperer. He could talk to animals better than Dr. Doolittle. He was an avid outdoorsman. He loved kayaking, fishing and camping. Besides his wife, Chet is survived by his children, Michael Christner and Jenna Breed; several grandchildren; mother, Frankie Lang; father, Timothy (Carol) Christner; siblings, Kimberly Salisbury; brothers, Jeremy Christner and Chris (Bee) Mathews; several nieces and nephews; and countless friends.