CHESTER ARDEN

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Chester C. Arden, 83, of Ironton passed away Friday, July 17, 2009, at Kings’ Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, Ky.
He was born Aug. 30, 1925 in Denton, Ky.; the son of the late William and Mabel Evans Arden.
He was a World War II U.S. Navy veteran and took part in the D-Day invasion of Europe.
He was a member of the USS LST 509 Navy Association. He graduated from Decatur High School and received his B.A. degree from Rio Grande University and M.A. degree from Marshall University. He was a member of the Zoar Baptist Church in Coal Grove and a member of the Waterloo Masonic Lodge 532.
He formerly worked as a control room operator at Marquette Cement Co with 20 yrs service; he had more than 30 years of service to Rock Hill schools as a math teacher, Elementary Principal at Decatur elementary and Rock Hill 2; and was superintendent of Rock Hill schools.
He is a former educator, supervisor and administrator for the Lawrence County ESC retiring in 1990. He also owned and operated Arden’s Little Giant in Pedro.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Minnie Mae Arden who died June 9, 1983; four brothers, Alfred Arden, Clyde Arden, Raymond Arden and Vernon Arden; three sisters, Ruby Stewart, Della Tussey and Virgie McGuire and two infant sisters, Nina Arden and Belva Arden.
He is survived by his wife: Peggy Dutey Arden whom he married July 2, 1986; two daughters and two sons-in-law, Sharilyn and Gary Phillips of Ironton and Brenda and Merlin Haas of Ironton; a son and daughter-in-law, Gregory and Vicki Arden of Ironton; two step-daughters and two sons-in-law, Joan and Kevin Willis and Jami and Bill Suver; a sister, Gladys White of Sarasota, Fla.; 10 grandchildren, Lori (Phillips) Hankins, Megan (Phillips) Rice, Missy (Haas) Schoonover, Aaron Arden, Amanda Arden , Carrie Jo Arden, Hannah Willis, John Kevin Willis, Jamie Willis and Hayden Suver; 13 great-grandchildren, Ashley Gallion, Tyler Jayne, Bryn Arden Schoonover, Alexis Arden, Kameron Arden, Josie Arden, Peyton Arden, Parker Arden, Reese Whaley, McKinley Rice, Landon Rice, Bryce Munion and Tate Munion; great-great granddaughter, Emma Gallion; a beloved Boston terrier named Duke and a number of nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Phillips Funeral Home with Dr. Kevin Willis and the Rev. Jim Beals officiating.
Burial will follow in Highland Memorial Gardens South Point. Friends may call 6-9 p.m.
Monday at the funeral home. Military graveside rites will be conducted by VFW Post 8850 Ironton. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.