A Celebration of Life to honor the life and legacy of Gerald "Chink" Mead, age 88, of Lakefield, will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Thursday, December 18th at 11:00 AM, with a time of visitation and gathering for two hours prior to the service. Military honors will be provided immediately following the celebration of life service. The service will be livestreamed on the church's Facebook page.

Gerald James "Chink" Mead was born on July 7, 1937, the son of Francis "Jack" and Josephine "Josie" (Tighe) Mead in West Heron Lake Township, Jackson County, Minnesota. He graduated from Okabena Public School and later served in the US Army, stationed at Fort Hamilton, New York, until his honorable discharge.

Chink spent much of his life working in road construction, beginning with Hugo Schultz Construction and later joining Scheppmann Construction, where he helped bury telephone cable. His work brought him to Texas, where he lived for many years. He was the proud father of his son, Dale, who was tragically killed in an accident. He remained in Texas until returning to Minnesota in 2003 for his brother-in-law's funeral and decided to stay in Lakefield to care for his sister at her home.

Family meant everything to Chink, and he held special affection for his nieces and nephews. Chink could strike up a conversation with everyone, and he always took time to visit with friends. He was an avid sports fan and cheered on the Minnesota Twins and Vikings.

Following a stroke in 2021, Chink became a resident of Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Lakefield. On December 7, 2025, Chink passed away peacefully at Colonial Manor.

He is survived by several nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Chink was preceded in death by his son, Dale; parents; siblings, Robert, Don, Betty and infant sister, Barbara; and many relatives and friends.