Chester Arnold Duhme came into this world on July 14th, 1930, in Maquoketa, Iowa and peacefully left it on October 10, 2023, at his home in West Plains, Missouri. His parents Fred and Mary (Campbell) Duhme had ten children, Chester being the youngest.
As a young man, Chester left the family farm and joined the Marines, where he served his country during the Korean War. Shortly after leaving the service, he met and married the love of his life, Jewel Yvonne (Bell) Duhme on December 26th, 1954, in Hemet, California. They eventually moved to and bought the family farm in eastern Iowa, where they lived and worked in the dairy business for over twenty years. Moving to Hardy, Arkansas for health reasons, Chester built a successful landscaping business that he continued to run until moving to West Plains three years ago to be closer to family. His daughter, Deanna and her husband Matt provided him with a caring and loving home for which we are all thankful.
During their almost sixty-nine years of marriage, Chester and Jewel witnessed the birth of their four children, the adoption of one and selflessly provided a home for numerous foster children. He loved his family, gardening, his pets and Cardinal baseball. He was the definition of hard work and integrity. We will miss you, Dad.
Chester is survived by his wife, Jewel, son Garry Duhme and partner Ellen, daughter Sharon Ostermeier and husband Dean, daughter Deanna Reihm and husband Matt, ten grandchildren, Garry, Jerod, Derrick, Austin, Joshua, Joshua (Curtis), Kyle, Kevin, Breanna and Michael and fifteen great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers, three sisters, son Max and daughter Penny.
Local arrangements were under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains, Missouri.
Memorial arrangements will be made at a later date.