Chester Howard Wheatley's Obituary
Chester H. Wheatley, 97, of Thayer, KS passed away at his home on April 9, 2018. He was born on March 8, 1921 to Lester and Audrey (Neal) Wheatley in Derby, IN. Upon graduating from Tell City high school , Chester joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, (one of Roosevelt’s economy boosting plans) in order to save up money to go to college. In the fall of 1941 he went to Ball State University for one year where he played basketball. One weekend he was hitchhiking home from college to visit family and was picked up by a recruiter who encouraged him to join the service before he was drafted. He chose to sign up with the U.S. Navy V-5 Aviation Cadet Program, completed flight training and joined the U.S. Navy where he was a pilot during WWII and was promoted to Lieutenant Commander. During one of his training sessions in Hutchinson Kansas he had a stop over in Wichita Kansas where he met Donice Stires when they had to share a cab ride to Hutchinson and she had to sit on his lap. He married Donice Fern Stires in Los Angeles, CA in 1945. She preceded him in death in 2008.
After proudly serving his country for 20 years, Chester worked for the Lansing Correctional Facility as a purchasing officer for 19 years. He was a proud member of The American Legion, VFW, and Naval Reserve Association.
Chester is survived by:
Grandson:
Brad Wheatley and wife Brenda of Chisago, MN
Sister-In-Law:
Glenna Wheatley
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Donice Wheatley; 3 premature sons in infancy; and an adopted son, Michael Wheatley; and siblings, Louise Biddle, Mary Schenk, and Rogers Wheatley.
Cremation has been requested.
Contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Chet was an extremely generous and interesting man and he will be missed by anyone who had the privilege of knowing him.
The family will hold a memorial service at United Methodist Church in Thayer, KS on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. Online condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home 101 N. Highland, Chanute, KS. 66720.
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