Birth date: Nov 4, 1934 Death date: Feb 1, 2021
Chester W. Southwell Chester Ward Southwell peacefully passed away at home on Feb.1., 2021 at the age of 86. He was born on Nov. 4, 1934 in Adrian, Mi., the son of Ward and Goldie (Grubbs) Southwell. Chet was drafted into the Army Read Obituary
So sorry to hear of Chets passing. He was a great neighbor in Onsted. Our thoughts are with you at this time.
Dick and Gail Kimball
Was sad to hear of Mr. Southwell's passing. My memories of him are of an exceptional father supporting his son Bruce and daughter Connie in sports. I can clearly remember the day he drove his yellow customized Ford truck up to the school in Oyster. The Harley hood tilted forward showing a 351 no doubt all chromed out. I think my mouth was stuck fully open in awe. He was a superstar in life and I enjoyed hearing a bit more about his life after I entered it. He truly had a full life tha anyone would envy. He also was one of the only people in my life I knew as Chester. A name shared with my father. RIP
The man I call dad never missed a day of work. He never called in sick.
He worked on our old house every night after work until bedtime.
He worked for years remodeling our old house . Room by room everyday , every weekend , even over holidays until it was finished ( which I don’t believe it ever was to him). Sometimes for the big jobs he would bring in my grandpa and my uncles. Always having fun and a few beers while they worked.
When I was older he visited one time to my house and he admired my painting project. He asked me where I learned to paint like that and I said Dad .. I learned from watching you.
The dad I knew always took us to visit grandparents and cousins and uncles and aunts. We always had relatives stopping over and friends to see my parents and the house and what next adventure was going to take place. The dad I knew loved card parties and pig roasts in the back yard in summer. Taking his old Jewett to parades with all of us kids riding with him.
He went hunting on usually one big trip every year somewhere wild and far away. It wasn’t unusual for him to be dropped off by an airplane in the middle of nowhere for a couple of weeks.
The dad I knew hunted down a mountain lion with just his little dog , by himself in the mountains of Montana. I said dad those can jump forty feet you know..... he wasn’t worried at all. One year the forests around his house were burning all around his property and he said he wouldn’t go if the fire came to him. He was going to face it down on his own .Always and ever fearless.
The dad I knew could fix anything , build anything, make anything happen by the sheer force of his mind and his hands.
He never doubted. He never looked back. If life was a mountain he climbed it straight up and not one obstacle ever stopped his ever going forward ever upward ,ever onward to the top.
What a story teller so enjoyed the family when they lived in Onsted. He lived life to the fullest. Sympathy to all in your loss.
Sending our deepest condolences to the entire Southwell family. I have so many great memories of swimming In the pool, riding in the Jewett and spending time with the family.
Our deepest sympathy. We will always cherish the time we had in Montana. My dad always so enjoyed his time with Chet❤️
What a wonderful life! Chester sounds like he had an incredible time on this earth and one for his family to cherish. So sorry for your loss. He will surely be missed.
To the entire Southwell family, we are so sorry for your loss of Chet. I remember visiting his home in Montana and was so impressed with the house he built and the car he restored. Our prayers are with you all.
Our deepest condolences,
Jennifer and Craig Grafmiller
