Chester Booe Sr.

Chester Allen Booe Sr., 90, of Humboldt died Wednesday, May 4, 2011, at the Kansas City Hospice House, Kansas City, Mo.
He was born April 24, 1921 in Humboldt, the youngest of 12 children born to William Harrison and Othella Mae (Duncan) Booe. He attended Cottage Grove School and enjoyed its school reunions.
On June 29, 1940, he married Ina Mabel McClellan in Iola.
He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.  He worked for Santa Fe Railroad prior to joining the Navy.  When he returned from the service, he hauled milk for the Pet Milk Company in Iola. In 1952, he returned to work for the Santa Fe Railroad and retired in 1981 after more than 30 years with the railroad. Upon retirement, the couple moved from Kansas City to Humboldt to be near family and childhood friends. 
During his working years, he was a member of the United Transportation Union, serving as the secretary/treasurer of his local. After retirement, he became a member of the National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees, Inc. and enjoyed the monthly potluck dinners.
He was a member of First Baptist Church of Humboldt where he was an ordained deacon and served the church in many ways. One of his proudest accomplishments was his involvement in the building of the parsonage and fellowship hall.
He is survived by a special lady friend, Emma (Catherine) Sanderson, Humboldt; four children, Colleen Wheeler, Fort Myers, Fla., C. Allen Booe Jr. and his wife, Beverly, Leawood, Cheryle aka Sherry Magnenat and her husband, David, Bremerton, Wash., and Christy Watson, Gardner; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and 30 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ina,; five brothers, Murle, Everett, Ennis, Guy and Lloyd Booe, six sisters, Orpha Henley, Audrey Huffmaster, Edna Barnett, Nellie Schultz, Ostie McCoy and Mae Witty, a granddaughter; and 13 nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at First Baptist Church in Humboldt. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery in Humboldt.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at First Baptist Church.
Memorials to Kansas City Hospice House or First Baptist Church Building Fund  may be left at Penwell-Gabel Humboldt Chapel. To leave a special message for the family online visit www.PenwellGabelHumboldt.com.