Chester "Chet" W. Hoener, age 85, of Quincy, recently of Sunset Home died Monday, January 29, 2007 at10:05 am in Sunset Home.
He was born August 29, 1921 in Quincy, Illinois, the son of Henry P.W. and Mary Wilhelmina Wolfmeyer Hoener. On October 18, 1947 he married Esther E. Wille in Chicago, Illinois.
Mr. Hoener was a 1939 graduate of Quincy High School and a graduate of Gem City Business College. He served with the 39th Combat Engineers of the United States Army during World War II. A Master Sergeant, he fought in the Sicilian-Naples-Fogia, Rome-Arno, North Appennines and Po Valley campaigns. He was awarded the Purple Heart.
During the 1930's and 1940's Mr. Hoener played in the Carl Landrum and John Herold orchestras. He also played with the Quincy Park Band and the Quincy Symphony. He was a former member of American Legion Post #37, South Side Commercial Club, and the Noon Kiwanis Club.
Mr. Hoener started his career as a jeweler at Hokamp-Keis, then he and his wife later owned and operated the House of Friendship. He retired in 1991. Mr. Hoener was a lifelong member of St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, where he served in many capacities over the years.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, daughters: Linda Duncan and husband Bruce of Decatur, IL; Judy Bolay and husband Barry of Plant City, FL; Sherry Yelton and husband Stan of Quincy; Karen Krus and husband Ken, of St. Louis, MO; grandchildren: Michelle Cline and husband Todd, Forsyth, IL; Kristen Duncan, Tolono, IL; Julie Spiezio and husband Mark, Senoia, GA; Eric Bolay, Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Jennifer Bolay, Tampa, FL; Nathan Yelton, Champaign, IL; Ted Yelton, Quincy; Katie Krus, St. Louis; Kacey Krus, St. Louis; and a twin sister, Esther Matzke and husband Rev. Marvin, El Paso, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents and a granddaughter, Nikki Yelton.
Funeral services will be Friday, Feb. 2, 2007 at 10:00 am at St. James Lutheran Church with Rev. Marlin Rempfer officiating. Burial will be in Greenmount Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday from 4-7 pm at the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to St. James Lutheran Church or School, Sunset Home or Bethesda Lutheran Home.