Michael "Mike" Anthony Chojnacki

Michael “Mike” Anthony Chojnacki, 84, of Jonesboro, Arkansas, formerly of St. Louis, Missouri, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, November 11, 2024. Born on August 13, 1940, in St. Louis, he was the son of the late Adalbert and Anna Mae Chojnacki. Mike was a man of deep Catholic faith and a lifelong enthusiast of both music and the arts.

A cherished fixture in the local arts community, Mike founded and ran Mike’s Music News, where he poured his heart into promoting local musicians and artists. With his camera in hand, he captured the soul of countless performances, preserving their magic through photographs and videos that he shared with the world.

In addition to his parents, Mike was preceded in death by his first wife, Shirley Chojnacki, along with his two stepfathers, Louis Wolosyk and Richard Ferkler, and his stepmother Margaret Chojnacki.

Mike is survived by his devoted wife, Barbara Chojnacki, of the home; three sons, Tim Chojnacki (Kim) of Jefferson City, Missouri, Dan Chojnacki (Joann) of Jefferson City, Missouri, and Brian Eldridge (Sohvi) of Conway Arkansas; five daughters, Laurie Brandon (Greg) of St. Louis, Missouri, Cindy Greene of Orange City, Florida, Sherrie Frank (Mark) of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Beth Anderson (Matt) of Lowell, Arkansas, and Annette Yancey (Jimmy) of Manila, Arkansas. He also leaves behind a close-knit family including his brother, Steve Chojnacki (Barb) of Wentzville, Missouri, Gail Muckey (Scott) of Newburgh, Indiana, Judy Poplawski (Joe) of Fenton Missouri, and Debbie O’Brien (Mike) of Imperial, Missouri; as well as 20 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends who will forever cherish his memory.

A visitation will be held on Friday, November 15, 2024, at Emerson Funeral Home in Jonesboro, Arkansas from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Friends and family will also gather for a second visitation on Saturday, November 16, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Hutchens-Stygar Funeral Home in Florissant, Missouri, with burial following at Calvary Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri.

Mike’s legacy of love, art, and community is a gift to all who knew him, and his spirit will continue to inspire those he touched through his photography, friendship, and unwavering support of the arts. His joyful presence will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.