Chester (Chet) Lewis, 77 years old, of Greens Fork, Indiana passed away on Sunday, December 05, 2021 of complications from Covid-19. Chet grew up in Connersville, IN and graduated from Connersville High School in 1963, where he played Varsity Football. He went to Ball State where he played football as a “walk-on”. Chet was drafted in 1965, joining the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, serving in Vietnam as a Parachute Rigger, volunteering to serve an additional 6 months of duty before leaving in 1968, achieving the rank of Sergeant E5. In 1970 he earned an Associates Degree from Vincennes University. In 2005, he retired from Ford Motor Company/Visteon after 35 years of service with roles spanning from foreman, to general superintendent over those years.
Since then, he thoroughly enjoyed riding his 100th anniversary Harley Davidson Road King to California and back. He was an active member of LifeSpring Church North running the cameras for service every Saturday and Sunday. He always enjoyed his pool, lawn care and working on his 1969 Ford Bronco. You could always count on Chet to send a funny email, or share a story about his frustrations with his adventures in cell phone and 21st century technology. For fun, he drove a school bus, and always enjoyed assisting the Amish and his community.
He is survived by his daughter Dena Kirkham (husband, Joshua Kirkham), his son Mario Lewis (wife, Dena Libner), and their mother Giovanna Olivieri-Lewis; his grandchildren Julia Kirkham, Nora Kirkham and Leo Lewis. He is also survived by his eldest brother, Charles Lewis, as well as his nieces and nephews: Brad Lewis, Wendy Hunt, Beth Brown, Mark Lewis and Mindy Lewis.
He is preceded in death by his father Shelby Lewis, his mother Annetta Walling, his brothers Keith Lewis and Harvey Lewis, and his sister Jewlden Lewis.
Mario and Dena will miss their father immensely, as he was a great and generous man who loved them unconditionally.
A memorial service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 9 at Lifespring Church, 5600 US 27 North, Richmond. Interment with military rites will follow in Dale Cemetery in Connersville.
Family & friends may gather for visitation from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 9 at the church.
Visitors are requested to wear a mask while attending services for Chet.
Memorial contributions are encouraged for Lifespring Church, 5600 US 27 North, Richmond, IN 47374.
The Smith-McQuiston & Webster Funeral Home in Fountain City is assisting with arrangements.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.smithmcquistonwebster.com