Ted Majerek, a businessman who founded a regional bookstore chain that at one time had 37 locations, died at his home in Niles, Mich., on January 1, LeaderPublications reported. He was 95 years old.
Majerek served in the Marine Corps after graduating high school and moved to Niles, Mich., with his wife, Marie, in 1957. He bought the Niles News Agency and Hallmark Store, and over the next few decades Majerek's Hallmark Readers' World stores expanded throughout southwest Michigan and the surrounding region. By 1997, the chain had nearly 40 stores; Majarek also owned the Michiana Delivery Service and other local businesses.
According to his son Tom, Majerek was a community leader who led fundraising committees, supported local organizations and was active in the Chamber of Commerce. He also created the Majerek Family Periodical Endowment Fund at the Notre Dame Library.
"He had an endless amount of energy," Tom Majerek told LeaderPublications. "He could be involved with almost any project he wanted. He always encouraged community involvement with his kids and gave us opportunities to seek that. Not only was he a good Christian and a family man, but he was also very involved with the community."