Rev. Chester E. CUSTER

CUSTER, ENGLE

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/2/2011 at 11:21:12

The Grinnell Herald-Register - Grinnell, Iowa
December 27, 2010

November 5, 1920 --- December 15, 2010

The Rev. Chester E. Custer, 90, formerly of Grinnell, died Wednesday Dec. 15, 2010, in St. Louis, Mo. A memorial service was held Monday, Dec. 27, at Laclede Groves Chapel in St. Louis. Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church Committee on Relief. He was born in Bowerston, Ohio, the son of Jessie and Alma Custer. He was a graduate of Muskingum College; and received the divinity degree from Garrett Evangelical United Methodist Seminary and a Master of Arts degree from Northwestern University. In 1948 he was ordained as a minister in the Methodist Church, serving churches in Grinnell (1962 to 1968), Hawarden (1956 to 1962) and Renwick-Hardy (1946-1956), Iowa. In 1968 he was invited to write confirmation training materials for junior high youth for the newly formed United Methodist Church Board of Discipleship in Nashville, Tenn. He then authored several books and assumed duties as editor with Tiding Publishers, then executive director of Discipleship Resources with The United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife Elizabeth of St. Louis, Mo.; his sons David of Silver Spring, Md., and Dr. Philip of St. Louis; one daughter, Margaret Engle of Semmes, Ala., and one grandson.

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Rev. Chester E. Custer, 90, On Wednesday, December 15, 2010, of St. Louis, MO. Born in Bowerston, OH to the late Jessie and Alma Custer. Chester graduated from Muskingum College, received a divinity degree from Garrett Evangelical United Methodist Seminary, and a Masters Degree from Northwestern University. After becoming an ordained minister in the Methodist Church, Chester served several communities in Iowa where he was deeply admired by his parishioners. In 1968 he joined the Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church in Nashville, later becoming Editor with Tiding Publishers and then Executive Director of Discipleship Resources. He authored several books, including The United Methodist Primer, and composed several religious hymns. After retiring, Rev. Custer and his wife Elizabeth moved to St. Louis, MO. Chester and Elizabeth were avid genealogists publishing a series of books on the Custer Family. He was also a skilled gardener and craftsman, designing furniture, stained glass lamps, quilts, and rugs. Chester was a kind man who brought joy to all around him. He will be deeply missed.

Rev. Custer is survived by his wife of 64 years, Elizabeth, sons, David (wife Marcia) of Silver Spring, MD and Dr. Philip (wife Shawnessey) of St. Louis, MO, daughter Margaret Engle (husband Thomas) of Semmes, AL and grandson Matthew Engle of Semmes, AL.

Services: A memorial service will be held December 27, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel at the Laclede Groves Lutheran Convalescent Center in St. Louis. Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Committee on Relief, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Missouri
December 26, 2010