Chester Sperry

SPERRY, Mr. Chester Augusta, MI Died Saturday evening June 23, 2007 at his residence. Chester was born June 3, 1923 in Kalamazoo, Michigan a son of John and Marie Christensen Sperry. Upon graduation from Kalamazoo Central High School, he served with the U.S. Navy in WWII as a sonar man. He returned to marry his childhood sweetheart, Betty Jane Slack. He later attended and graduated from Michigan Tech in 1949 with a mechanical engineering degree. In 1950, Chet began working at the Upjohn Company where he continued until his retirement in 1983 as head of machine design. Chet was an active lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church of Kalamazoo. He also enjoyed building many electrical devices including the family?s first colored TV and computer. He will best remembered for his love of trains. Friends and family will always remember Chet for his miniature train layouts, riding his train around the yard, and him chasing trains down the highway. During his marriage to Betty she became seriously ill. Chet devoted many years to her care until her passing in 1984. He and Betty had 3 children, Juanita Dick Kohfeldt of Battle Creek, MI, Pat Smith of Augusta, and Sarah Jerry Davis of Springfield, MO. In 1988, he married Wilma N. Howison and added 5 more children to his family, Sheryl David Gehrls of Omaha, NE, Marilyn Dale Howard of Perry, MI, Patty Michael Cox of St. Louis, MI, Mark Katie Howison of Midland, MI, Barbara Kevin Edie of Hillsboro, OR; many grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; a great-great grandchild; and many extended family members. Services will be held 1 o?clock Wednesday at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery. Friends may meet the family Tuesday 2-4 and 6-8pm and one hour prior to the service at the chapel. Memorials may be directed to the West Michigan Cancer Center or the Multiple Sclerosis Society.