Chester Herbert B., Jr.

Chester, Herbert B. Jr., 89, went to be with our Lord God on January 29, 2008. Services will be at 10:00 A.M., Friday, February 1, at Downing Lahey Mortuary East. Herb was born July 25, 1918 in Wichita to Herbert B. and Ada V. (Kelso) Chester. He grew up in Wichita and graduated from East High School in 1937. Herb attended Wichita State University for a time before enlisting in the Army Air Corps in September 1941. During WWII, Herb served overseas in Italy as the Line Chief for the 722nd Squadron, 450th Bombardment Group. By the end of the war, he had been promoted to Master Sergeant and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. On July 9th, 1942, Herb took as his wife, Ernestine Klopfstein. After the war, he owned/operated Chesters 66 Service Station at the corner of Douglas and Oliver. He successfully managed this business for over 25 years. Following this, Herb worked for the U. S. Post Office until his retirement in 1986. His great loves in life were his wife and children, and doing all things mechanical. Up until just a few years ago, he was an avid member of the Shrine Bowling league, and enjoyed getting together with his high school buddies on a monthly basis. Herb is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Donna Travis, his wife, Ernie, and one great-grandson, Dayton Weiss. He is survived by his son, Larry Chester of Kettering, OH; daughter, Janalee Weiss (Jack) of Garden Plain, KS; three grandchildren, Jacob, Kari and Matthew; five great-grandchildren, Taylor, Ryan, Alexis, Briana and Madison; brother-in-law, Ray Travis of Shell Knob, MO; and nephews, Jim Travis of Shell Knob, MO and Gary Travis of Arkansas City. In lieu of flowers, donation to the Alzheimers Association would be appreciated.