Mr. Allen B. Chesser Jr, 68, of Culver passed away unexpectedly at 7:16 AM on Wednesday, December, 28, 2022 at his residence.
On July 22, 1954, Allen Baird Chesser Jr. was born in Augusta, GA to Allen B. Sr. and Katherina Preywisch Chesser. Proudly he graduated with the class of 1972 from Culver High School. Continuing his education at Purdue University he earned a BS in biology in 1976. Allen professionalized his career in the financial world as a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.
High school sweethearts, Allen and Mary L. Croy were married on May 29, 1976 in the Zion Church near Bruce Lake. They have shared over a half century of life’s adventures. From their union came three wonderful children Emily, Alex and Carl. The family tree continued to grow with the added blessings of eight grandchildren.
With a strong work ethic developed as a young man, Allen worked at the Monterey Bank for many years. In the leadership role he served as President overseeing the daily operations with a vision for the future and a passion for helping his community and friends.
As a community servant, Allen was a member of a multitude of organizations. Locally he served as a past member of the Fulton County 4-H Fair Board, two terms on the Woodlawn Hospital Board and the Lake Maxinkuckee Environmental Council. Allen was the treasurer for the Aubbeenaubbee Improvement Association and the Leiters Ford United Methodist Church.
Gifted with his hands, Allen was a man of diverse interests and from his woodwork shop came many custom creations. Among them are bird houses, gifted to the Fulton County Park Board for use in our parks and trophies built for Power of the Past. He once made a walnut table for his son., step stools and more. Cutting wood for the family wood boiler, maple syrup evaporator, fireplace or campfires was a way of relaxation.
An outdoorsman, Allen loved nature. As an artifact hunter, he acquired a unique collection of arrowheads. He proudly displayed them in framed shadow boxes he built. A coveted friend, Dave McGowen assisted him with building a camp structure at the family maple syrup camp. Allen would pick black raspberries for Mary to make jam and pies. He often said he liked two kinds of pie, hot and cold. Annually Allen would be responsible to till, water and weed a large garden. He also loved driving the hay baler during the baling season.
The restoration of antique tractors was another interest of Allen’s. He restored International Harvester and John Deere tractors to be used on the family farm. While working in the barn, he could be found repairing bicycles for the family and friends.
As the patriarch of the Chesser family, Allen was proud to oversee three generations. Dedicated to his family, Grandpa Allen or Papa adored his grandchildren and treasured the time he spent with them. Making memories, taking them rides in the Gator or playing in the pool were special times. He and Mary followed their school and sporting activities
Left to cherish Allen’s memory are his wife, Mary, daughter, Emily Schouten and husband Andrew and their children, Adrian, Katie and Nicholas of Rochester, two sons, Alex Chesser and wife Janel and their children, Jack, Emmett and Seth of Winamac, Carl Chesser and wife Courtney and their children Conan and Carsyn of Kearney, MO; a sister Frances Bowers of NC; sisters and brothers-in-law, Linda and Mike Holdmann, Tom and Lana Croy and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding Allen in death are his parents Allen and Katherina Chesser.
A celebration of the life of Mr. Allen Baird Chesser Jr. will be at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 West 18th St., Rochester. Pastor Bob Metzger will officiate. Friends may visit with the family from 3-7 PM on Monday, January 2, 2023 and one hour prior to the service in the funeral home. Interment will be in the Leiters Ford Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Lake Maxinkuckee Environmental Fund, 116 N. Main St., Culver, IN 46511 or the Leiters Ford United Methodist Church, PO Box 126, Leiters Ford, IN 46945. Online expressions of sympathy may be made to his family at www.goodfamilyfh.com.
