Miller, Chester Paul (1909-2004)

Newton Kansan obituary: 2004 Dec 2 p. 2

Birth date: 1909 Feb 23

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2004 Dec 13 p. 12

CHESTER PAUL MILLER

Chester Miller, 95, of Hesston, Kan., died Dec. 1, 2004, at Newton Medical Center. He was born Feb. 23, 1909, to Jacob P. Miller and Emma May Yoder Miller near Kalona, Iowa.

He married Lydia Leona Yoder on June 4, 1933, in the home of the bride's parents near Kalona. He was a farmer in the Wellman and Kalona area for most of his working days. For 38 years he raised turkeys, sometimes having as many as 6,000 at one time. He and Leona enjoyed traveling. In later years they spent many hours playing table games together and with their friends. He had a good sense of humor and enjoyed hearing and telling jokes. He also had the gift of a keen mind and could remember many dates of life events.

He accepted Christ as his personal Savior at an early age and was baptized at East Union Mennonite Church near Kalona.

Soon after moving to the Wellman community in 1946, Chester joined Wellman Mennonite Church, where he was a member for many years before transferring his membership to Hesston Mennonite Church.

In 1971, they sold their farm near Wellman and moved to Palmer Lake, Colo., where they worked with Frontier Boys Village. He worked in maintenance. More important, he became friends with the 45 boys at the village and was soon known as "Grandpa."

In 1976, they moved to Hesston. From this time until his health would no longer allow, he spent many hours in his garden.

Survivors include two sons, Arlen Miller and his wife, Gwen, of Grove City, Ohio, and Laurel Miller and his wife, Patricia, of Hesston; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife of more than 70 years, Leona; a brother, Lawrence Miller; and two sisters, Eldora Preston and Leona Mandel.

Services were held at Schowalter Villa Chapel in Hesston. Burial was in Eastlawn Cemetery near Hesston.