Chester L. “Chet” Abair, 73, of 10309 E. 8A Road, Plymouth’ died
on Tuesday, January 19, 1999, at 2:15 p.m. Chet died unexpectedly of natural causes in the Emergency Room of St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center, Plymouth, after becoming ill at home.
Born the son of Russell and Luella Powers Abair in Argos, Ind., on October 27, 1925, Chet was a member of the Plymouth Lincoln High School class of 1944.
On May 13, 1944, in Argos, he married his loving lifetime companion, Virginia M. Harner. Together they had five sons and two daughters.
Chet was a supervisor for Chase Leasing. He retired in 1987 after 28 years of service.
He enjoyed helping his children build houses and assisted in remodeling projects. He enjoyed singing and whistling the old hymns. He was known in the family as “Mr. Fix-Itr” as he was skilled in tinkering with engines and machines. He loved to camp. Chet also had the reputation in the family as a “teaser” and his ability to tease and pick on family members was a source of fun and merriment to his children and grandchildren.
He was a member of the Plymouth Wesleyan church for 40 years.
Chet leaves behind Virginia, his wife of fifty-four years, four surviving sons and two daughters. They are: DeVere L. and Judith Abair, Plymouth: Gary D.
Abair, Atlanta, Georgia: Alan A. Abair, Leesburg, Ind., and Roger D. Abair’ Atlanta, Georgia. His daughters are Judy A. and Stephen Hessler and Jacqueline A. and Les Trump, all of Plymouth.
Sixteen grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren and seven step-great grandchildren also survive.
Four brothers and four sisters survive. The brothers and their spouses are: Robert and Jean Abair: James and JoAnn Abair: Ilarold and Leona Abair and Gerald and Gerry Abair, all of Plymouth. His sisters are: Rosemary and William Harner, Bremen: Dorothy and Howard White, Plymouth: Frances Mentzel, Bremen and Violet and Charles Wicks, LaPaz. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
Chet was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Larry Abair on December 23, 1955, and Russell Abair Jr., a brother.
Visitation with the family will be on Thursday, January 21, 1999, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth.
Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Friday, January 22, 1999, at ll a.m. The Rev. Dave Engrecht, Pastor of the Nappanee Missionary Church will officiate. Burial in New Oakhill Cemetery, Plymouth, will follow.
Memorial gifts in Chet’s name may be made to the American Heart Association.
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