Chester Wince
Chester “Chet” R. Wince, 95, of Forrest, died at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 31 at his residence with his two sons by his side.
His funeral will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury. Burial will be in Patty Cemetery, Pontiac.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the 4-H Club in Livingston County or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Chet was born April 24, 1919, in Fairbury, the son of Emory and Emma Wince. He married Betty J. Wooten on Oct. 23, 1942, in St. Louis, Mo. She preceded him in death on Dec. 27, 2012. He was also preceded in death by his son, Billy J. Wince on July 23, 2012.
Survivors include two sons; Rick (Linda) Wince of Bloomington, Jerry Wince and daughter-in-law, Judy Wince both of Lake Bloomington; sister, Merry Lou Carpenter of Pontiac; seven grandchildren, Erick (Karen Mercer) Wince of Normal, Kristi (Michael) Grove of Bolingbrook, Kelli Benjamin and Kevin Wince both of Bloomington, Tom Wince of Telluride, Colo., Jamie and Curt Wince of Lake Bloomington; and five great-grandchildren, Lianna, Ava, Alia, Maeli, and Gavin.
His parents, four brothers and two sisters also preceded him in death.
Chet lived at the same address in rural Forest since 1948 and also farmed that property for several years. He was in the United States Air Force from 1942-1945. He worked for the Joliet Arsenal and the Chanute Air Force Base for 29 years before retiring in 1979.
Chet started coaching fast pitch softball in 1959 with the 4H teams and all three of his sons played for him. He coached them until his youngest son, Bill, was too old to be in 4H. He continued coaching them on several different teams including the Adult Men’s Fast Pitch League in Bloomington/Normal. He was always avid about each game’s “statistics” and insisted that the score books were kept accurate and complete. He saved all of these books and would pull them out for any visitor that came to his house to show them his many “wins” and his sons’ accomplishments.
Dad was happiest when he would be outside on his garden tractor mowing his yard, and taking care of his garden.
For many years, Chet enjoyed playing cards (preferably poker) with his wife, Betty, and many relatives. Since Betty’s death, his sons, grandsons and caregivers have continued playing poker with him at his home. His last poker game with Rick, Jerry and his grandson, Jamie was the Saturday before his death.
Chet could start a conversation with anyone and was well liked and respected by many people including a large number of ball players that he coached over the years.
The family would like to offer a special thank you to Leona Hoover who for the past five and a half years has been there to help with our Mom and Dad. We also want to thank Helen Moore, Nancy Hurt, Joyce Koehler, and Rita Zorn. All of these caregivers treated our parents with love and respect and we are so thankful.
Condolences and tributes may be made to the family at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com.
