Chester A. Proffitt

Wellsville - Chester Albert Proffitt, 84, joined his beloved wife in the house of the Lord on Wednesday, July 18, 2018.Deeply passionate and full of humor, Chester inspired his family, friends and community to work hard, play hard and live life to its fullest. If you had a bad day, Chester told you a story that had you rolling on the floor with laughter. Sick? Chester likely came for a visit with one of your favorite treats. Just an average day? Not with Chester. He was full of surprises. Maybe he put a note in your lunch box, borrowed your prize vegetable, taught you to drive, humbled you in a wrestling match, helped you on your farm, fixed your car, chatted at the fire station, treated you as an honorary son or daughter or countless other things that you valued beyond gold - that was just how he did it. With Chester, it didn't matter where you worked, what clothes you wore or your family background. If he met you, you were a friend. A handshake was a promise not to be broken, a friendship was to be valued above all else and laughter was the best medicine. His family will forever be inspired to work and play as hard as Chester did.From the beginning, Chester adored his family. Born in Meigs County, Ohio, Chester, he was the son of Pearl Jenny and John Proffitt. To Chester, his mother and his sister, Florence were the most important women in his life. He loved them both fiercely. Then, in 1953, Chester married his soul mate, Stella Merrill. They soon had two amazing daughters Vicki (Randy) Carroll and Kim Lehmenkuler. The young family supported Chester as he served our nation in the United States Army while stationed in France. Upon honorable discharge, Chester returned to his beloved Ohio River where he worked and made many friends at Dravo and Ohio Edison. Nephew Rob Wilson and niece June Bernet soon joined the family. Chester was blessed to have an extensive family with cousins, nieces and nephews of whom he cherished. A few decades and many laughs later, Chester and Stella became devoted grandparents to Scott (Angela) Mason, Rebecca Smith and Kelly (James) Lawrence. Always the jokester, Chester retired in 1992 from operating heavy machinery with a cake that quipped "take this job & shove it" to help care for his mother and devote more time to friends, family and gardening. Many laughs and hugs later, Chester reveled in the births of his great grandchildren Tyler Mason, Courtney Lawrence and Leah Lawrence. As you might guess, he delighted in teaching them to play and hearing them laugh. Chester was preceded in death by his beloved wife Stella, parents, sister, four brothers and son-in-law. Calling hours will be held on Monday, July 23 from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Eells-Leggett-Stauffer Funeral Home, 215 West Lincoln Way, Lisbon, OH,A celebration of Chester's life will be held on Tuesday, July 24 at 11:00 A.M. at the funeral home.The service will be followed by a procession to Riverview Cemetery in East Liverpool.Please join the family to share your special memories of Chester. Memorial donations can be sent to the Highlandtown Volunteer Fire Department or simply do a random act of kindness for someone in Chester's name and remember to laugh. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Chester A. Proffitt please visit our Sympathy Store.

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