Simpson, Chester Willis 1919-1978

SIMPSON, MORROW, LADELY, JACK, WILLETT

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 10/26/2010 at 20:14:22

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register; Dec. 7, 1978

MR. SIMPSON SERVICES HELD

HARTWICK (Special)

Funeral services were held Monday, Nov. 27, for Chester Willis Simpson, 59, who died Nov. 23.

The Rev. Dan Driscoll, pastor of the Hartwick Congregational Church, officiated at the services, which were held at the church. Also officiating was the Rev. Wesley Lawrence, pastor of the Otterbein United Methodist Church in Toledo. Mrs. Claire Erickson was organist, and Mr. and Mrs. Maurice DeGeeter were flower attendants.

Burial was at the Hartwick Cemetery, where military rites were conducted by members of the Harold E. Smith Post of the Victor American Legion. Pallbearers were Howard Olson, George McConnell, Robert Safley, Vernard Block, Wallace Roth and George Williams. The McAninch-Fremming Funeral Home of Victor was in charge of arrangements.

The son of George and Alice Morrow Simpson, he was born Sept. 28, 1919, in Jackson Township. He was graduated from Montezuma High School. On Aug. 29, 1941, he was married to Lucille Ladely at Lancaster, Mo. The couple had six children.

Mr. Simpson was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during World War II. He lived in Hartwick for 30 years, managing the Wilder Grain Elevator for 20 years. He served as mayor, city councilman, president of the Businessmen's Association, and longtime volunteer fireman. He also served as fire chief. He was a member of the American Legion.

For the past two years, Mr. Simpson had made his home in Toledo.

He is survived by his wife, Lucille; his children, Larry of Toledo, Junior of Victor, James of Victor, Robert of Malcom, Rick of Cedar Rapids and Mrs. Dennis (Alicia) Jack of Newhall; his mother, Mrs. Alice Simpson of Montezuma; 12 grandchildren; two brothers Lloyd and Robert of Montezuma; and one sister, Mrs. Robert (Helen) Willett of Brooklyn. He was preceded in death by his father; a brother, Claire; and one grandson, Jaramie.