Chester F Thompson

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 2, 2017 in Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL with Rev. Dan Eloe and Rev. Tim Yankee officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Thursday. Burial will be in Findlay Cemetery, Findlay, IL with military rites by the Shelby County Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to his family.

Chester was born on April 17, 1926 in Metcalf, IL, the son of Edward and Sylvia Johnson Chaney. Chester at age four, along with his five siblings: Carolos, Hampton, Kenny, Cutis and Rosanna, was placed in an orphanage in Paris, IL. Jim and Lula Thompson raised and adopted Chester and he graduated from Findlay High School in the Class of 1944. He immediately was drafted into the U.S. Army and served from 1944-1947. He was a veteran of WW II, spending time in the Marshall Islands, Australia, Philippines and Occupation Japan. Chester left San Francisco, CA by ship and traveled for 31 days to get to Australia. He took his turn on watch in the ship’s “crow’s nest” and ate raw potatoes for sea sickness. He was never in an airplane. Chester was a very patriotic man; he loved his country, the American flag, parades, and his Lord Jesus. He married Sabina Murphy on May 30, 1948 and they were married for 69 years. Chester was wonderful, loving, and caring to his wife, Sabina and daughter, Cheryl, who both live in Shelbyville, IL. He is also survived by his sister, Rosanna Wallace of Wilmington, IL; and several nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

Chester was a member of the First Baptist Church of Shelbyville, IL, where he served as church trustee, financial secretary and janitor for 23 years. He also helped start the Awana Program and worked the youth of the church. He drove the church van and the “Hallelujah” coach bus, taking the youth to camp and youth meetings. He was also the custodian for the Shelbyville School System for 28 years, retiring in 1990. To this day he is remembered by teachers and students as their “favorite” janitor, as he was a sweet man. He then drove cars for Hubbartt Motors in Pana, IL, retiring at age 80.

He didn’t have any hobbies, but enjoyed the reading westerns and WW II books. He enjoyed Illini basketball games, watching Peyton Manning and Danica Patrick, going to the time trials of the Indianapolis 500, and most of all, watching his nephew, Darrel Chaney, play baseball with the Cincinnati Reds and the Atlanta Braves. He also liked seeing the team of Clydesdale horses when he could. Chester always had a smile, a good sense of humor and never complained about his severe arthritis or declining hearing and sight.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Carlos, Hampton, Kenneth and Curtis Chaney.

A special thanks to Dr. Doris Bowers, Dr. Perry Guaglianone, and Dr. Kris Patel.

Send condolences at www.howeandyockey.com