Chester Maris Aydelotte, Jr.age 94, of Portage, IN entered heaven June 12, 2014. He was born June 6, 1920 in Gary, IN, the son of Chester Maris Aydelotte and Margaret (Benz) Aydelotte. Chester's early years were spent in Glen Park, Chesterton, & East Gary, IN where he graduated from Edison High School in 1938. During the tough times of the Great Depression he helped out by working at a dairy farm & driving a dump truck. At 18 he hired in at US Steel.
Answering Uncle Sam's call during WW II he was a Navy man on the oiler
USS Lackawanna for 4 years in the south Pacific. Chet worked as a Switchman for the EJ & E Railroad at the Gary Works of USS. He retired in 1980 with 47 years of service. Chet is now joyously reunited with his Sweetheart, Anne, who preceded him in Feb of 2014. They were blessed with 57 years of marriage. They made their home in Portage. After retiring they enjoyed 20 years of being Snowbirds with a home in Sebring, FL . A kid at heart, he loved hosting kids & grandkids at DisneyWorld and other parks! Chet & Annie returned to Portage in recent years to be near family. Chester is survived by his children:
Candice (John) Klimut of Istanbul, Turkey
Kathy (Mike) Bloomquist of Gleason, Wl
Denise (late Ed) Wodesky of Las Vegas, NV
Lori (Tim) Larson of Portage, IN
Michael (Chaya) Aydelotte of Demotte, IN
Daughter-in-law JoAnn Aydelotte of Garner, IA
Grandchildren:
Jim (Darlene)Aydelotte and Scott (Michelle) Aydelotte of IA
Julie (Jamie) Belant of Wl
Eric Bloomquist of AK
Travis Larson of IN
Great Granchildren:
Salida Aydelotte, Derek Burgener, Cameron, Mackenzie, and Cadence
Belant, Noah, Hannah, Jessie, and Kaycee Bloomquist.
Brother, Elmer (Billie) Aydelotte of Sebring, FL, Brother-in-law Paul Lazar of Bartlett, IL. Also survived by special friends Julie & Felix Bannon plus many extended relatives, step-grandchildren, and friends.
Beside his parents, Chester was also preceded by his son Terry
Aydelotte, sisters, Katherine Speering & Helen Koda, Brothers Raymond, Tommy & Jackie Aydelotte. A very loving Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Great Grandpa, Brother, & Son - Chet was all about FAMILY. He loved deeply & unconditionally & was always there for us. Fun loving & very generous you could always count on Dad. Dad had a special warmth about him and a great sense of humor! A Storyteller Extraordinaire he was always willing to share his wit and wisdom. He was a very hardworking guy all his life and shared what he had with everyone. Cameras, CB's, Scanners, Recorders, & Computers were his passion. He used his laptop into his 90's! He enjoyed many road trips around the USA & Canada. Chet loved politics, jazz,& CHOCOLATE!! Next to grandkids, campers, motorcycles, scooters, fishing & his Florida home were more favorites. What a ride!!Dad,Miss you so much but we're happy you're free and with Mom again. Always remember how very much you're loved! "I'LL SEE YOU AGAIN SOMETIME"!! We've been richly blessed to have you in our lives!
A Celebration of Chester's Life will be held Sat. June 28, 2014 at
Evangelical Covenant Church of Portage, 5051 Central Ave. Portage with
Pastor Michaile Broadnax officiating. Visit with family at 10 am til time of Celebration at 11:30 am. Lunch at church following service. Memorials in Chester's name may be given to VNA Hospice Foundation, 2401 Valley Dr. Valparaiso, IN 46383.