Edward Nelson Chester, passed peacefully on to eternity on January 3, 2018 at the age of 86. He was married for over 60 wonderful years to (Margaret) Noriene (Purdy) until she passed away in 2014. He is survived by 4 children and their spouses and families: John and Cynthia (Jeremy & Suzette, Corey & Ida, Stacey & Michael); Mark and Edith-Faye (Daniel &Jessica, Tim & Sarah, Evangeline & Tim, Zachariah); Paul and Donna (Brianna, Grace); Debby and Randy Wagler (Bethany & Andrew, Jonathan, Faith-Anne and Gregory, David, Joshua). He has been blessed with 20 great grandchildren.  

 

Edward was born July 26, 1931 to Norman and Ella May (Tremain) and was the second of nine children. He is survived by sisters Grace Schlichter, Florence Barker, Helen Dilworth and Ruth Smith and brother Bruce (Jean), and was predeceased by his brother Delmer, and his sisters Violet Knox and Norma Wilkinson. He is fondly remembered by his many nieces and nephews.  

 

His life of pastoral ministry with the Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada for over 42 years enriched the congregations and communities of Zephyr and Mt. Pleasant 1954-1959, Port Hope 1959-1961, Brampton 1961-1968, St. Thomas 1968-1974, Sarnia 1974-1983, Stayner 1983-1991, and Port Elgin from 1991 to retirement in 1996.  

 

He will be remembered for caring and faithful service to many congregations, and for his love of gardening, planting trees, writing poems, building - not only churches but sheds and homes, woodworking, his humor, and his faithful prayers for family, friends, neighbours and caregivers.  

 

Thank you to the many comforting and caring people of Queensway who helped him live out his last days with dignity and respect.

 

Visitation will take place on Friday, January 5, 2018 at Haskett Funeral Home, Exeter and a Funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Exeter. The times for the visitation and funeral are not known at this time, but can be found on the Haskett Funeral Home web-site: www.haskettfh.com on Thursday, January 4.

 

Donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Heartland Evangelical Missionary Church Clinton, or Emmanuel Baptist Church in Exeter would be appreciated by the family.

'Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever', Psalm 23:6