Chester Woodworth

URSA, Ill. -- Chester Elmer Woodworth, 90, of Ursa, passed away on Sunday (Oct. 13, 2013) in Blessing Hospital in Quincy. He has gone to be with the love of his life, Gladys, in heaven.

He was born on May 7, 1923, in Tilton, Ark., to the late Edward and Clara Voorhis Woodworth. His parents moved back to Illinois when he was a small boy. Chester attended grade school in Adams County. He married Gladys Mann on Sept. 18, 1942, in Palmyra, Mo. Gladys died Dec. 3, 2012.

Chester started working as a mechanic and later farmed for landowners until 1947. He and Gladys ran the Ursa full service FS gas station, where he was a mechanic and Gladys served breakfast and dinner. In 1951, Chester went to work for the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy and was chief engineer until retirement after 31 years. At this time he had a small parcel of land that he farmed and raised a vegetable truck garden. Chester was known for his tomatoes and still had eighteen plants this year. He was an avid fisherman and hunter and had a handle shop.

Family was very important to him and he was most happy surrounded by them.

Chester was a member of the Ursa Christian Church, North Adams Historical Society, Adams County Farm Bureau, Ursa Masonic Lodge, Western Illinois Threshers Inc., and the Mississippi Valley Hunters and Fisherman Club. He was a past member of the Meyer Gun and Boat Club, North Side Boat Club, Eagles Club, Twin Oaks Club, Adams County Olde Tyme Association, Amvets Post 76, Ursa Fire Department for 47 years and the Operating Engineers Union Local 399.

Surviving are three children, Paul (Charlotte) Woodworth of Ursa, Milton (Karen) Woodworth of Ursa and Janice (Dan) Marks of Camp Point; seven grandchildren, Doug (Kathy) Woodworth of Lima, Teresa (Darin) Van Meter of Hannibal, Mo., attorney Dennis Woodworth of Mendon, Darryl Woodworth of Vista, Calif., Paulette (Dr. Mike) Reschak of Chesterfield, Mo., Holly (Dave) Elsie of Quincy and Tom Miller of Ursa; three step-grandchildren, Kevin, Michelle and Danielle, all of Arkansas; seven great-grandchildren, Jessica and Lauren of Lima, Devin and Noah of Mendon, Courtney and Collin of Quincy and Wilson of Chesterfield, Mo.; seven stepgreat-grandchildren, Josh of Hannibal, Mo., Hunter, Ashten, Summer, Rachel, Gary and Naomi, all of Arkansas; two brothers, William Woodworth of Mendon and Marshall Woodworth of Quincy; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one sister, Helen; and four brothers, Walter, Frank, Bud and Alva.

SERVICES: 10 a.m. Friday in the Hunter Funeral Home in Mendon with the Rev. Bill Mitchell conducting. He will be laid to rest in New Providence Cemetery, near Ursa.

VISITATION: 5-7 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home with a Masonic service to follow by the Mendon Masonic Lodge 449.

MEMORIALS: Ursa Christian Church, North Adams Historical Society or Mississippi Valley Hunters and Fisherman Association.

ARRANGEMENTS: Hunter Funeral Home.

WEBSITE: www.hunterfh.com.

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