CHESTER: Edward Nelson of Hensall
January 4, 2018 By Haskett Funeral Homes 10 Condolences
Edward Nelson Chester, passed peacefully on to eternity on January 3, 2018. ‘Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever’, Psalm 23: 6. After a faithful life of service to God and a strong commitment to family, Edward has begun his journey in eternity at the age of 86, living his last days surrounded with the love and prayers of family, at Queensway Nursing Home, Hensall , ON. He was married for over 60 wonderful years to (Margaret) Noriene (Purdy) until she passed away in 2014. He is survived by 4 children and their spouses and families: John and Cynthia (Jeremy & Suzette, Corey & Ida, Stacey & Michael); Mark and Edith-Faye (Daniel &Jessica, Tim & Sarah, Evangeline & Tim, Zachariah); Paul and Donna (Brianna, Grace); Debby and Randy Wagler (Bethany & Andrew, Jonathan, Faith-Anne and Gregory, David, Joshua). He has been blessed with 20 great grandchildren. Edward was born July 26, 1931 to Norman and Ella May (Tremain) and was the second of nine children. He is survived by sisters Grace Schlichter, Florence Barker, Helen Dilworth and Ruth Smith and brother Bruce (Jean), and was predeceased by his brother Delmer, and his sisters Violet Knox and Norma Wilkinson. He is also survived by Noriene’s sister Winona (Gary) Gehiere and sister-in-law BettyLou (Ron) Purdy-Heywood. He is fondly remembered by his many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a number of brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. His life of Pastoral ministry with the Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada for over 42 years enriched the congregations and communities of Zephyr and Mt. Pleasant 1954-1959, Port Hope 1959-1961, Brampton 1961-1968, St. Thomas 1968-1974, Sarnia 1974-1983, Stayner 1983-1991, and Port Elgin from 1991 to retirement in 1996. He will be remembered for caring and faithful service to many congregations, and for his love of gardening, planting trees, writing poems, building – not only churches but sheds and homes, woodworking, his humor, and his faithful prayers for family, friends, neighbours and caregivers. Thank you to the many comforting and caring people of Queensway who helped him live out his last days with dignity and respect.
Arrangements are incomplete at this time. Details will be added as soon as they are confirmed.
Donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Heartland Evangelical Missionary Church Clinton, or Emmanuel Baptist Church in Exeter would be appreciated by the family.
CHESTER: Edward Nelson of Hensall
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Filed Under: Exeter, Obituary
Condolence Messages
Dave and Beth Prouty
January 4, 2018 at 3:53 PM
Randy and Deb and family you have our sincere sympathy with the loss of your father. He has his ultimate reward now. May the Lord wrap His Loving arms around each of you.
Jim and Pat McDowell
January 4, 2018 at 2:48 PM
Ed and Noriene had such a heart for people, and they reached out to missionaries in a special way, I think. We treasure the relationship we had, though they never were officially our pastors. While it is comforting to know that they are re-united with each other, and even more so, entering the joys of the presence of Jesus, it’s hard to let people like them go, and much more so for close family members. So, our condolences to all of you, especially our friends Mark and Edith Faye and their family. Ed seems to us to have been a classic EMC pastor, interested in the camps, missions, Bible College, churches and people across the district, and no doubt, especially his own congregations. His memory is a blessing now.
Joel French
January 4, 2018 at 2:23 PM
Mark and Edith Faye, Randy and Debby – our thoughts and prayers are with you as you mourn the loss of your father. He certainly has left a mark on his family – I thank God for the legacy of Godly living that your Dad has passed on to you and that in turn has impacted us and so many others! Praying that God will be greatly glorified through this weekend as you gather as family and friends.
Love in Christ, Joel and Ashley French
Rick & Marilyn Vandenbussche
January 4, 2018 at 2:00 PM
Debby & family: Our sincere sympathy on the loss of your father, thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. I’m sure you have many happy memories to share.
Ruth Smith
January 4, 2018 at 1:39 PM
Dear Family, My thoughts and prayers are with you . I know this is a very difficult time for each one of you. My brother Edward was a very good, caring person during his whole life and he will be missed by many. Love to you.
Aunt Ruth
Esther Stewardson
January 4, 2018 at 12:27 PM
Debby and Randy and Family
My Prayers are with you at this time of loss May God Wrap his arms around you all
God Bless
William Purdy
January 4, 2018 at 12:12 PM
My mom always referred to him by his full name of Edward, but I have always simply thought of him as my Uncle Ed. I also always thought of him as a gifted pastoral orator. I admired his ability to give a rousing sermon that could be amusing at moments – poignant at others – yet never lost sight of the salient points. Uncle Edward understood the alert listener is easier to enlighten than trying to reach someone weary from listening. Of course, a mention of speed also begs comment on Uncle Ed’s fast driving. He could make even my late father white knuckle it during a road trip – which was something given my dad’s tendency to dose off while behind the wheel. One has to wonder, might Saul have become the Apostle Paul without such literal intervention from on high if Uncle Edward had been barrelling toward him with the gospel on that road to Damascus? Of course, in the last few years, Uncle Ed had slowed down considerably, but two things remained visibly steadfast to me on a visit to see him this past summer – his devotion to his faith and his love for my late Aunt Noriene. What a force for good he and she were in the community. Their commitment to their church was matched only by their devotion to the family they nurtured together at home. I guess you could call them the original “power couple” long before the term was reduced to describing less inspiring unions between fame and fortune. And so we all know that Uncle Ed took comfort in his final days from his faith that reassured him that he and his sweet Noriene would be reunited in heaven. And let that be comforting to us all as well – the separation of two remarkable souls who so undeniably belonged together has finally come to an end. Of course, it is also quite natural still to feel a sense of loss in their earthly absence from us. So I give my sincerest condolences to Uncle Ed’s entire family, all of his friends and to the many congregants whom have been undoubtedly blessed in knowing him. May the belief that our loss is heaven’s gain provide succor in this time of sorrow. For my part, I can picture him greeted by my own dearly departed dad with a hearty and baritonal, “How goes it, Vicar?” And I also take comfort in picturing how tightly dear Aunt Noriene will be hugging him for all of eternity! She was always the best hugger.
Harv & Evelyn Vincent
January 4, 2018 at 10:26 AM
Debby, Randy and family,
Praying for each of you during this time of great loss. You were so faithful visiting and so very kind. May God’s comfort and peace surround each of you.
Ray & Sue Heffernan
January 4, 2018 at 10:06 AM
Our Sincere Sympathy Debbie & Family on the loss of your Father, our Thoughts and Prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Ray & Sue Heffernan
Ward Hodgins
January 4, 2018 at 9:57 AM
A man’s measure is shown by his depth of love for Christ and his depth of love for family.
Ed Chester, well done, good and faithful servant.
With ongoing love and prayers, Ward and Jo-Anne Hodgins
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de CHESTER Edward Nelson of Hensall January 4 2018.source
Décès pour la Ville: Exeter, Province: Ontario