Chester Watts (1913-2003)

WATTS

Posted By: Oregon
Date: 3/8/2003 at 10:42:09

The Daily Nonpareil
5 March 2003

Chester Watts

MISSOURI VALLEY - The funeral for Chester Watts, 89, of Missouri Valley will be Friday at 11 a.m. at Hennessey-Aman Funeral Home in Missouri Valley.

Mr. Watts died March 1 at Midlands Community Hospital in Omaha.

He was born Aug. 15, 1913, in Crescent to Roy and Geneva (Hough) Watts. He graduated from Modale High School in 1932. He served in the Army during World War II where he served state side and in the European Theatre. While in the military, he was married to Ada Barker on Aug. 24, 1944, in Council Bluffs. They resided in Mondamin until moving to Council Bluffs for seven years, and then to Missouri Valley for the past 25 years.

Mr. Watts worked for the U.S. Postal Department as a postal clerk and rural route carrer for 28 eyars, retiring in 1981. He then drove a school bus for West Harrison for sporting events.

He was an avid Yankee fan, win or lose, and was instrumental in convincing his nephew, Gary Conkling of Portland, Ore., to becoming an avid Yankee fan and ballplayer. He also worked with and helped coach young baseball players in Mondamin. He was active in many civic events and a volunteer on the Mondamin Rescue and Fire Department. He was a member of the American Legion Post No. 378 of Mondamin.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ada, on April 11, 1998. He was also preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Rolland, and a sister, Garnet Clark.

Survivors include his sister-in-law, Lorraine Conkling of Beaverton, Ore.; nieces, Patsy Cook of Missouri Valley, Bonnie Vance of Omaha, Shirley Pechar of Omaha, Beverly Randall of Illinois, Lacota Baldwin of Omaha and Leota Rule of Council Bluffs; nephews, Dennis Lightell of Omaha, Gary Conkling of Beaverton, Ore.

Visitation with the family will be Thursday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Rose Hill Memorial Garden in Missouri Valley with military honors by the American Legion of Mondamin.

©Daily Nonpareil 2003