Chester T. Self

Chester T. Self, 90, of Topeka, passed away on Sunday, October 26, 2014 at a Topeka hospital. He was born April 26, 1924 in Topeka, the son of Theodore E. and Hazel L. Stewart Self. He graduated from Topeka High School.

Chester was an Army Veteran of WWII. He was a POW and was awarded the Purple Heart. He served in the European African Middle Eastern Theater. He was a tank operator and light machine gunner. Chester was a machine operator for various construction companies before retiring from Hamm Construction Company in 1986. He was a member of the V.F.W. Post No. 3839 in Jenkins, MN, and the D.A.V. He was baptized a member of the Baptist Church. Baseball was an avid passion of his.

Chester married Clara Mae Reed. They were married 61 years. She preceded him in death on June 28, 2006. He was preceded in death by one son, Laverne whom is buried in Rochester Cemetery and his four siblings, William Self, Robert Self, Sharon Morris and Carol Self. Chester later married Betty B. Franklin on December 5, 2008 in Las Cruces, NM. She survives. Other survivors include two sons, Rickey Reed (Evalyn) Self and Nickey Lee (Marvellee) Self, both of Topeka, one step-daughter, Rhonda (Doug) Bryan of Houston, TX, four grandchildren, Jayson Reed Self, Jared Erdman Self, Chet Matthew Self, Lindsay Nichole Self, seven great-grandchildren, Savannah, Channing, Ellowynn, Sam, Dakoda, Jaylynn and Zayne, two step-grandchildren, Danielle Bryan and Jason Bryan, and one sister, Patty Rose of California.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 30, 2014 at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery. Chester will lie in state and the family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 29, 2014 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the V.F.W. Post No. 3839, 3341 Veterans St., Jenkins, MN 56472 or to the Topeka Rescue Mission, 600 N. Kansas Ave., Topeka, KS 66608.