John Lester Chitty (1893-1947)

CHITTY, HOLCOMB, SHEAR, HARLOW, HOOVER

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 2/19/2014 at 17:44:39

From Nevada Evening Journal August 11, 1947

Funeral Services For John Lester Chitty Held Thursday P.M.

Funeral services for John Lester Chitty, former Story county resident, who passed away on Monday morning, July 28, at his home, 1146 Garden Ave. Des Moines, Ia. were held at the Lutheran church in Fernald on Thursday afternoon, July 31, at 2 o'clock. Dr. J. H. Dawson, pastor of the Fernald Lutheran church officiated. Music was furnished by Mr. and Mrs. Howard Hilburn accompanied by Mrs. John Picht, their selections being "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere" and "Asleep in Jesus." Casket bearers were Cecil Apple, Ira Vail, Chet Gifford, John Picht, Clarence Hilburn and Simpson Toot. Interment was in the Nevada cemetery.

John Lester Chitty, son of James Cornelius and Belle Chitty was born June 20, 1893 on a farm east of Fernald where he grew to manhood. His twin sister, Hester, died in infancy. At an early age he united with the Fernald Lutheran church where his membership continued until his death.

On Feb. 23, 1914, he was united in marriage with Amy Holcomb and they established their home on a farm east of Fernald. To this union six children were born: James of Colo, Mrs. Dorothy Shear and Mrs. Lois Harlow both of Des Moines, Mrs. Helen Hoover of Bettendorf, Bernice of Ft. Des Moines and Joe at home. Besides his six children and eight grandchildren his is survived by his wife Amy, his brothers, Fred of Nevada, Henry of State Center and Ray of Fernald. His sister, Ruby passed away in 1920.

In 1936 they moved to Grand Junction and in 1937 returned to Story county making their home in Nevada. During World War II the Chitty family lived in a number of different states as he was engaged in carpentry for the government. They have resided in Des Moines the past two years.

Those from a distance attending the last rites were: Mr. and Mrs. James Johnston and Mrs. and Mrs. Orville Evans of Guckeen, Minn., Mr. and Mrs. Chet Holcomb and Mrs. Harley Mumm of Kanawha, Mr. and Mrs. Emmett Holcomb and Mr. and Mrs. LaVonne Cornell of Indianola, Leon Carmack and Mrs. and Mrs. Chas. Orr of Baxter, Donald Holcomb of Seattle, Wash., Mr. and Mrs. Lester Picht of Arcadia, Kansas and a number of friends from Des Moines.