Chester Mckee

Chester "Chet" McKee Chester McKee, age 97, a resident of Ludlow, Missouri, passed away on Wednesday, September 26, 2012 at Hedrick Medical Center, Chillicothe, Missouri. He lived an independent lifestyle and stayed involved with his farm and cattle operation until the time of his passing. Chet was born the son of James Leslie McKee and May Schroeder-McKee on July 12, 1915 on a farm near Bayard, Nebraska. He attended a one room schoolhouse on the western Nebraska prairie and graduated with an eighth grade education. Chet and his brother Roy McKee ranched together in Colorado and also drove cattle on horseback, moving them for other ranchers. Anticipating the war, Chet joined the army and served as Corporal in the Army Signal Corp throughout Europe. He was honorably discharged, and after World War II he attended the Chillicothe Business College majoring in Agricultural Studies. On August 30, 1951 he was united in marriage to Fern Neoma Hamilton, in Chillicothe, Missouri. She preceded him in death on February 8, 2009. Chet and Fern operated a dairy, raised dairy and beef cattle and were row crop farmers in southwest Livingston County, Missouri. They enjoyed traveling throughout our country; especially visiting family, our National Parks and the great Colorado Rocky Mountains. Chet and Fern delighted in raising flowers, visiting museums, reading, and the enjoyment of art, history, music and science. Chet greatly valued the fellowship of friends, family and the wonderful neighbors that shared his country road. He flew an American flag nearly every day over this land that he loved and was grateful for all that the "Good Lord" had done for him. His wit, wisdom, strength of character, and loving heart will be greatly missed. He is survived by; one daughter, Phyllis Nowlin and husband, Al, of Braymer, Missouri; son Robert McKee, of Utica, Missouri, and step-son Leslie Smith, of Chillicothe, Missouri, two sisters, Florence Armintrout, of Kansas City, Missouri and Mary Deegan, of Great Falls, Montana; 7 grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Fern McKee; and one step-daughter, Carolyn Gilliland. Services will be held on Sunday, September 30, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the Ludlow Community Church, Ludlow, Missouri. There will be family visitation on Saturday, September 29, 2012 from 6p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Lindley-Pitts Funeral Home, Braymer, Missouri. Friends may call at the Lindley-Pitts Funeral Home, Braymer, Missouri on Saturday, September 29, 2012 from 12 noon until 8:00 p.m. Burial will be held on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at Highland Cemetery, in Meeker, Colorado. Memorial contributions may be made to the FFA and may be left at or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri 64601. Online condolences may be made at www.lindleyfuneralhomes.com . Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley-Pitts funeral Home, Braymer, Missouri.