Chester VanderWerf

VANDERWERF, BEHRENDS, HEMMEN, KRULL, HENRICKS, HUMPHREY, SMITH, SAMPSON

Posted By: dbeier (email)
Date: 7/25/2010 at 15:41:07

Chester Clarence VanderWerf, age 88, of Parkersburg, Iowa, formerly of Aplington, Iowa, was born the son of Peter and Grace (Behrends) VanderWerf on September 23, 1921, rural Wellsburg, Iowa.

He received his education from a country school near his home. Chester farmed with his Dad until he joined the service. He served in the United States Army during World War II from December 21, 1943 – May 2, 1946, until he was honorably discharged. He was a combat engineer serving overseas primarily in the European Theater.

On December 30, 1947, Chester was united in marriage with Hattie G. Hemmen at the First Reformed Church in Aplington, Iowa. They made their home in Aplington where they lived their entire marriage.

Chester worked at the Ackley Lumber Yard until 1954. He started a carpentry business together with Hilko Van Dyk that they locally owned and operated for 10 years. In 1964 Chester worked at the Waterloo Register Company for a couple of years and then began working at John Deere in Waterloo, Iowa, as a foundry machinist, until he retired on September 22, 1983.

Chester was an active member of the First Reformed Church in Aplington, where he had served as an Elder & Deacon, Sunday school teacher and superintendent, and together with Hattie had been former church janitors and youth group leaders. He also was a member of the Aplington AMVETS.

In his spare time he enjoyed golfing with his son-in-laws, working with leather and playing the guitar. He loved spending time with his family especially his grandchildren.

Chester died Wednesday, July 21, 2010, at his daughter’s home in Parkersburg, of natural causes.

He was preceded in death by an infant son, Arlys VanderWerf on August 22, 1949; his wife, Hattie VanderWerf on October 27, 1984; one sister, Evelyn Krull; and one brother, Marlyn VanderWerf.

Chester is survived by two daughters, Bernita (Craig) Henricks of Parkersburg, Iowa, and Rhonda (Rich) Humphrey of Parkersburg, Iowa; three grandchildren, Melissa (Andrew) Smith, Angie (Erik) Sampson and Benjamin Humphrey; three great-grandchildren, Cassidy, Hunter and Noelle Smith; one step-great granddaughter, Ashley Smith; and two brothers, Wayne (Alvina) VanderWerf of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Gerald (Dixie) VanderWerf of Nashua, Iowa.

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday at the Redman-Schwartz Funeral Chapel in Aplington (319) 347-6275 and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church.

Funeral Services will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday, July 24, 2010, at the First Reformed Church with burial in the Pleasant View Cemetery with Military Rites Conducted by the Aplington AMVETS Post #102, both in Aplington.