Chester L. Lehman
Chester L. Lehman, age 82, died peacefully on Sunday, May 12, 2019, at West View Healthy Living.
Chester was born at home in Kidron on Aug. 13, 1936, to Willis and Sarean (Amstutz) Lehman. He married Twila Conrad on Sept. 15, 1956, at Oak Grove Mennonite Church in Smithville.
Chester was destined to be a truck driver. As a boy growing up, he would ride his bicycle several miles from home to watch the trucks traveling Route 30. In the early 1950s he began his truck driving career. As a proud owner-operator of Freightliner trucks, he was a long-distance truck driver, averaging over 100,000 miles per year and delivering in over 30 states during his career.
Chester was a member of the American Truck Historical Society and received their Golden Achievement Award, recognizing over 50 years in the trucking industry.
Chester enjoyed collecting all things with wheels, especially vintage cars and antique farm tractors. He also enjoyed fishing, camping, traveling and playing cards. He was a member of the Antique Auto Club of America, Wayne County Antique Tractor Club and the Smithville Historical Society. He and Twila enjoyed a home in Sarasota, Florida during retirement.
Chester is survived by his wife, Twila; daughters, Renee (Ted) Flickinger of Gainesville, Georgia, Marcia (Kevin) Trent of Orrville, Paula (Doug) Luginbill of Bluffton, Ohio and Tina (Randy) Kauffman of Hilliard, Ohio; beloved grandchildren, Allison (Scott) Troyer, Jonathan Luginbill (Kara Marang), Rebekah Kauffman, Carissa Luginbill, Avery (Sarah) Trent and Drew Kauffman; his great-granddaughter, Ellie Jo Trent; brothers, Maurice (Carol) Lehman, John (Rozella) Lehman and Steve (Elaine) Lehman; sisters, Marjean Lehman and LuAnne (Dennis) Hatter; brother-in-law, Ron Geiser; sister-in-law, Ruby Lehman; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Chester was preceded in death by brothers, Donovan, James, Kenneth and Paul, and sister, Bonnie.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 14 from 6-8 p.m. at Smithville Mennonite Church, 6097 Akron Road in Smithville.
A celebration of life service will be held on Wednesday, May 15 at 11 a.m. with visitation from 10-10:45 a.m. at Smithville Mennonite Church.
The family would like to thank the staff at West View Healthy Living for their personal and loving care of Chester and for supporting the family through his time as a resident.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to West View Healthy Living, 1715 Mechanicsburg Road, Wooster, OH 44691, or to Camp Friedenswald, where he volunteered, 15406 Watercress Drive, Cassopolis, MI 49031.