Chester W. Russell

Chester “Chet” W. Russell, Sr., 92, of McPherson and formerly of Galva, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 23, 2016, at McPherson Hospital. He was retired from CertainTeed where he worked in the maintenance department. He was also a farmer and former Assistant Fire Chief for the Galva Fire Department.

He served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II, serving in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater.

Chet was born on November 10, 1923, in McPherson, KS, the son of Benjamin Harrison and Emma Lillian (Beyer) Russell. He graduated from Galva High School in 1942. On July 14, 1946, Chet was united in marriage to Doris J. Koehn at the Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Galva, KS.

Chet was a member of Galva United Methodist Church.

Survivors include: loving wife of 70 years, Doris of the home; three children, JR (Deb Koehn) Russell of Galva, KS, Ted (Ruth) Russell of Wichita, KS, and Emma Perera of Galva, KS; daughter-in-law, Beth Robinson of McPherson, KS; 14 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, David Russell; brother, Clarence H. Russell; sisters, Arlene Russell and Edna Mae Peterson; grandchildren, J.W. Russell and Mandy Wenger; daughter-in-law, Vickie Russell; and son-in-law, Dennis Perera.

The funeral service will be at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, September 27, 2016, at Galva United Methodist Church with Rev. Sharlan Graber officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Empire Cemetery, Galva. Visitation will be held from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Monday, September 26, at Stockham Family Funeral Home with the family receiving friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Memorial donations may be given to Galva United Methodist Church or Galva Fire Department in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Chester W. Russell please visit our Sympathy Store.