Wayne Chester

Passed away Saturday morning, November 13, 2004 at 11:15 AM at the Metropolis Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Metropolis, IL.

Wayne Chester, 96, will be remembered by many as a teacher, a farmer, & a lifelong resident of Simpson, Illinois.

Wayne Chester, son of Arthur Lafayette & Myranda (Lands) Chester, was born in the family log house on the Chester farm near Ozark, Illinois, December 29, 1907. His mother & father preceded him in death. Wayne has one sister, Wilma Lawrence (Ewing) living in Vienna.

Wayne Chester & Helen Marie Williams were married June 1, 1937. Helen was the daughter of Willie Edward Williams & Flossie May Kerley. Wayne & Helen bought a small farm near Simpson, Illinois, where they continued to live for some sixty years. Wayne & Helen Chester celebrated fifty years of marriage June 1, 1987. Helen preceded him in death October 23, 1988.

Family surviving include a daughter, Judy Lighty, & her family Jerry Lighty & grandson Michael Lighty of Marion. Wayne’s sister, Wilma Lawrence, & nephew Chester Lawrence (Ann) live in Vienna; a niece, Jeannette (Dan) Hoeinghaus live in Tamaroa. Wayne’s niece, Dr. Nancy Hunter Pei (Julian), & daughter Katharine live in Carbondale.

Wayne lived his entire life in southern Illinois. Wayne grew up on a farm near Glendale in Pope County, graduated from Glendale Grade School in 1922, & completed two years of high school at Creal Springs, 1923-1925. For the next three years, Wayne & his father, along with their teams of horses & wagons, were employed by A.L. Robbs, hauling supplies to railroad construction areas east of Simpson. A third year of high school was completed at Simpson (1929-1930).

Most people will remember Wayne as a school teacher. He became a teacher at Harper School in Pope County on September 1, 1930, after a provisional certificate to teach in the elementary school was obtained by examination. The provisional certificate required the holder to earn twelve quarter-hours of credit in a teachers’ training school each year; so, he began college classes in June, 1931. Teaching in the fall, winter & spring, & attended Southern Illinois Normal University during the summer was the routine for the next six years. During 1930-1936, Wayne taught at Harper, Allard, & Robbs schools in Pope County; and, Flatwoods, & McKee schools in Johnson County.
In November, 1945, 

Wayne & Helen decided to take advantage of the G. I. Bill that granted living expenses to ex-service people who desired to further their education. Although it was unpleasant to think of leaving home & family again, Wayne Chester reentered college December 6, 1945. All requirements for graduation were completed during the period December 6, 1945 & June 1, 1947. In August, 1947, the Chesters, Wayne & Helen, each received Bachelor’s Degrees in Education, & certificates to teach in the schools in Illinois. Wayne found employment at Taylor School (9148-1949) for the seventh term. In August, 1953, they each were granted the Master of Science in Education with a major in Educational Administration & a minor in Guidance.

In August, 1949, he was employed as a classroom teacher at Vienna High School, teaching classes in math & social studies in 1954, Mr. Chester became Guidance Director at Vienna High School, responsible for placement testing, class assignments, & counseling. He also continued to teach classes in advanced mathematics & psychology. In 1966, Wayne & Helen assisted in setting up an educational program a the Vienna Correctional Center. Wayne Chester continued to be employed in the school system at Vienna until his retirement twenty-eight years later. During his teaching career of more than 44 years, thousands of children in the Johnson & Pope County areas will have had Mr. Chester as their teacher.

World War II brought drastic changes to the Chesters. Wayne was drafted into the United States Army June 18, 1943. Wayne sold the livestock & farm equipment at a heartbreaking auction before leaving home. Basic training was completed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in a cooks’ & bakers’ school. After graduation, he was shipped to Camp Blanding, Florida & assigned to Company D, 217th Infantry Training Division as a technician 4th grade (1st Cook.) He remained with Company D for twenty-three months & proudly served his country until he received an honorable discharge from the United States Army on October 2, 1945.
Mr. Chester was an artist. As a former math teacher, he crafted geometric shapes into pictures using his math skills. Local nature scenes & religious stories also served as inspiration. His paintings were shared with local churches, & prints of his paintings were sent as annual holiday greeting cards. He crafted many pieces of furniture for their home, & built many stone formations for the flower garden in their yard at Simpson.
Wayne enjoyed using his training as a cook. He enjoyed sharing cakes, jelly, & entire meals with family, friends, & local nursing homes.

On February 1, 1994, he celebrated fifty years of membership in the Gurney Lodge No. 778 as a Master Mason. Wayne was a member of the Vienna First United Methodist Church, American Legion, White Shrine, Ainad Shirne, & Retired Teachers Association.

In lieu of flowers, contributions could be made to the Wayne & Helen Chester Scholarship Fund (6376 Saline River Road, Marion, IL 62959), or the Vienna First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1349, Vienna, IL 62995.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday morning, November 20, 2004 at 11 AM at the Vienna First United Methodist Church. Rev. Ed Hoke & Rev. Willard Murrie will officiate. Entombment will be in the Gilead Cemetery.
Friends may call from 4 PM – 7:30 PM Friday evening at the Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. There will be a Masonic Service at 7:30 PM Friday evening.