Chester E. Vermaas

Chester Evert Vermaas, 96, of Sedalia, passed away on Tuesday, August 22, 2017, at his home.

Chester was born on April 11, 1921, in Beatrice, Nebraska, son of Evert and Minerva Vermaas.

Chester spent his early years in southwest Nebraska. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942, which included serving in Europe as a flight engineer with the 8

th

Air Force. He was a top gunner and crew chief of the B-17 Sandusky-Jo. He was honorably discharged in 1945.

In 1951, he graduated from the University of Nebraska with a BSC (zoology) degree.

On September 9, 1953, in Denver, Colorado, he was united in marriage to Aileen Marie Kennon Mayden.

After college he began working for the Missouri Department of Conservation. He worked in various roles but retired in 1986 as the Assistant Regional Supervisor, after thirty-one years of service in protection. He vividly remembered throughout his years of retirement the experiences he had while working with the department and felt like he made a lasting impact in Missouri wildlife.

He and his wife enjoyed travel in the lower 48 states, three provinces in Canada and several areas of Mexico. He loved to see the mountains, rivers and forests and the animals that lived in them.

He is survived by two daughters-in-law, Terry Mayden and Diana Vermaas; six grandchildren, Katrina Aileen Leach, Josina Sky Erickson, Kathy Turpin, Thelma Mayden-Hamm, Carrie Boyd, and Donavan Mayden; twelve great-grandchildren; plus many relatives and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Aileen; son, Bradley Vermaas; stepson, Barry Mayden; and sister, Marie Spomer.

Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday August 26, 2017, at Heckart Funeral Home in Sedalia.

The family will receive one hour before the services.

Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, with military honors by the United States Air Force and VFW Post 2591.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Missouri Department of Conservation.