Obituary: Bemis, Chester C.
Age 92
BEMIS,
Chester C.
(Age 92)
Chet was born on January 7, 1920 in Rockland, MA and entered into rest on April 2, 2012.
In his early years Chet’s family lived in a number of places as their father looked for work during the depression.
They settled in Oak Forest, IL where he graduated from high school.
He had two years of accounting school and worked four years as a bookkeeper before he went into the Army in 1942.
Chet spent the entire war at Camp Crowder outside Carthage, Missouri where his accounting skills were valued in the records office.
He married his Chicago girl friend (June Levy) in 1943 and stayed in Missouri until the war was over.
When Chet was discharged, and their daughter Judy was born (1947), they moved to Spokane where he immediately started to work for the Armour Meat Company in the accounting office.
He worked for the company in Spokane and later San Francisco for 37 years, and when he retired in 1984, they again lived in Spokane until June’s death in 1990.
He married again (Wilma Skakoon) and lived in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho for 13 years until Wilma’s death in 2003.
He then came back to Spokane where he lived at the Holman Gardens apartments down the hall from his brother and sister-in-law.
Chet was a wonderful father and grandfather to everyone in the family and so very proud of all of us.
He was truly a poster boy for the hard working, happy, smiling, positive, responsible, gentleman of America’s “Greatest Generation.”
Chet is survived by his daughter Judy Brender (Daryl) of Spokane, grandchildren Scott, Ty and Mandy, and his special great grandchildren Samantha, Hanna, and Sean.
He has a brother Delbert Bemis, of Spokane, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by June Bemis, his wife of 47 years and his second wife, Wilma Bemis of 13 years, father Ernest Hoberg Bemis, mother Amelia C. Walbourn, brothers Francis and George, and his sisters Jeannette and Charlotte.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Spokane Veteran’s Hospital and their Hospice unit for their excellent and loving care.
Contributions may be made in Mr. Bemis’ name to Cancer Care Northwest in memory of his wife June, or to Spokane Children’s Theatre N. 2727 Madelia, 99207 for the countless hours of enjoyment their productions gave him as he watched his daughter and granddaughter perform.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at 1:00 p.m .
at Spokane Valley Baptist Church, 1222 S. McDonald Road, Spokane Valley, WA 99216.