Chester Cline

Chester Cline

1922-2021

Chester Cline, 98, died peacefully at home on March 9, 2021, after a brief struggle with lung cancer.  Chester met the love of his life, Irene, and on their first date they went dancing to the big band music of Glenn Miller.  They married on October 28, 1945, in Mystic, Iowa, in the home of her parents and they continued to dance through a wonderful life together. He was born to William Edward (Ed) and Ora Cline on July 4, 1922.  He graduated from high school in Exline, Iowa, and attended Centerville Junior College in Centerville, Iowa, for two years before he enlisted the United States Navy in October 1942 and was commissioned as a Naval Aviator in May 1944.  He was honored and proud to serve his country in World War II as a co-pilot/navigator in VPB 109, Crew 3, where he flew missions in the Pacific.  Starting in 1999, he and Irene began attending VB109/VPB109 Squadron Reunions and he was so honored to reunite with and maintain friendships with his fellow servicemen.  He married Irene after the war and was honorably discharged from the Navy in May 1947.  He graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Business/Accounting and he moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  Chester and Irene moved to Wichita, Kansas, in 1951 where he worked as the Accountant/Business Manager for Armstrong Ice Cream Company.  It was in Wichita where their two beloved daughters were born.   In 1960, the family moved to Oklahoma City and Chester worked as the comptroller for Fox Vliet, later Fox Meyer Drug Company for 28 years.  He and Irene were blessed with a marriage lasting 67 years and they enjoyed 25 years together in retirement traveling in their motor home all over the country to 49 states.  He enjoyed staying in their RV parks, visiting family and friends, dancing and playing bridge at every opportunity.  He attended Wesley United Methodist Church for 35 years and when he later moved to Edmond, Oklahoma, he and Irene joined First United Methodist Church and the Emmanuel Sunday School Class.  He remained faithful to his church and loved his family and friends, especially his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Irene.  He is survived by his two daughters and sons-in-law, Mike and Karen Dixon of Edmond, OK, Greg and Joyce Wallace of Norman, OK, grandson, Edward Dixon, granddaughter, Katherine Wallace, two sisters, Guelda King of Johnston, IA, and Patricia Hansen, Issaquah, WA.  He has many other friends and family including many nephews and nieces that he loved so much.  A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 13, at 2:00 p.m. at Matthews Funeral Home, 601 S. Kelly, Edmond, Oklahoma.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, Edmond, or Wesley United Methodist Church, Oklahoma City.

We will be live streaming this service in an effort to accommodate those people that wish to attend but feel they should not due to health regulations.  To watch the service CLICK HERE to go to our YouTube page. Click on ‘Videos’, then ‘Live Streams’.