Chester R. Parsons

Chester Royal Parsons, 90, of Shade Gap, PA, passed into the arms of Jesus peacefully after an extended illness on Wednesday, July 4, 2018 at home.

Born April 4, 1928 in Tell Township, Huntingdon Co., PA, he was the son of the late Lester and Grace (Linn) Parsons.  He was united in marriage to the former Flora Watkins on October 13, 1950 at the United Brethren Church, Portage, PA.  His wife of 67 years survives at their residence.

Mr. Parsons is survived by his daughter, Jane Neihart and husband, Keith of Alexandria, VA; his sons Glenn Parsons and wife Penny of Blairs Mills, and Joe Parsons of Newburg; four grandchildren, Kristina Parsons, Stacy Hartman, Marie Neihart, and Caleb Parsons; five great-grandchildren, Raven, Kadin and Xena Moore, Lauren and Dalton Hartman; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He also is survived by one brother, Robert Parsons and wife Ramona of Blairs Mills; and two sisters; Grace Goshorn of Shamokin Dam and Jeanette St Clair and husband Robert of Blairs Mills.

He was preceded in death by three sisters and two brothers; Virginia Parsons, Eleanor Fogal, Lorma Bebernes, Ellsworth Parsons, and Earl Parsons.
Chester attended a one-room schoolhouse at Salem Church  near his home place.  He graduated from Orbisonia High School in 1947.  Upon graduation, he began his farming career.

Mr. Parsons was a farmer until he retired in 1990.  While farming, he also  worked as a carpenter and as a guard for the Pennsylvania Turnpike for 10 years.  He was also a welder for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation in Huntingdon for 20 years.

He thoroughly enjoyed helping his family and friends that needed assistance.  Upon his retirement from PennDOT, he volunteered with Men with Vision work teams under World Gospel Mission.   He had volunteered in Bolivia, Argentina, Paraguay, Hungary, Mexico, Honduras, Kenya, the Bahamas, Texas, Kentucky, and Indiana.  He was one of God’s special servants.  Chester was a faithful attendee of Cedar Crest Independent Baptist Church of Mt Union.

He will be remembered as a loving husband, Dad, grandfather and great grandfather with a giving spirit to all.  He also enjoyed reading his Bible and attending many family, church, and community functions.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, July 7, 2018 at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 11691 Circle St., Shade Gap, PA with Pastors James Barton and Richard Fluke officiating.  Interment will be made at Salem Cemetery, RD Blairs Mills, PA. Friends may call at the church 6 - 8 PM on Friday and one hour prior to the service on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Chester may be made to Cedar Crest Bible Church, 106 Pin Oak Lane, Mt Union, PA 17006 or to Gideons International, Huntingdon County Camp, P. O. Box 222, Orbisonia, PA 17243 to donate Bibles worldwide . 

Arrangements are under the direction of the Martin R. Brown Funeral Home, Orbisonia, PA.