Obituaries

July 22, 1954 to December 28, 2022

ROCHESTER - Allen Baird Chesser Jr., 68, of Culver passed away unexpectedly at 7:16 a.m., Wednesday, Dec., 28, at his residence.

He was born July 22, 1954, in Augusta, GA to Allen B. Sr. and Katherina Preywisch Chesser. 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. He 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. She survives.

Allen Chesser Jr.

Also surviving are 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, and 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.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Mr. Chesser and his wife shared over a half century of life’s adventures. With a strong work ethic developed as a young man, he worked at First National Bank of Monterey for many years, eventually serving as bank president. As a community servant, he 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. He was the treasurer for the Aubbeenaubbee Improvement Association and the Leiters Ford United Methodist Church.

Gifted with his hands, Mr. Chesser 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 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, he 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 picked black raspberries for Mary to make jam and pies. He often said he liked two kinds of pie, hot and cold. Annually he was 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 Mr. Chesser’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 family and friends.

As the patriarch of the Chesser family, he 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 on rides in the Gator or playing in the pool were special times. He and Mary followed their school and sporting activities

A celebration of the life will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 3, at Good Family Funeral Home, Rochester. Pastor Bob Metzger will officiate. Friends may visit with the family from 3 to 7 p.m., Monday, Jan. 2, and one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.  Interment will be at 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.