Chester Edward Fullerton

Published 1:26 am Wednesday, April 27, 2016

November 29, 1925- April 14, 2016

Chester passed away at his home April 14, 2016 after battling Parkinson’s disease for 10 years. He was 90 years old. Ches was born in Pitcher, Oklahoma to Carl and Sarah Fullerton. Siblings include three sisters: Louise, Clara, and Jean. When he was 7 years old, the family moved to Lodi, California.

On September 1, 1946 he married Betty June Chaney in Bend and they went on to raise three children: Bill, Virginia, and David. Chester was a musician all of his life and played multiple instruments including guitar, fiddle, and harmonica. He was a life member of Old Time Fiddlers and was a part of Verne Olson’s band, Special Blend. For years, Chester played for dances and special events in Central Oregon. He enjoyed playing the harmonica with his son, Dave, until a week before his death.

Being an avid hunter and fisherman, Chester had a great love of nature and the outdoors. Throughout his hunting career, he bagged 39 bull elk in Oregon and Idaho. Some of the highlights of his life were moose hunting in Canada and salmon fishing in Alaska.

During WWII, Chester served in General Patton’s army as a tank driver and gunner and also served as a MP in Germany during the Army of Occupation. After the war, he worked as a carpenter; working with his brother-in-law, Don Seeley, then for Lloyd MacFarlane. In 1987, Chester retired as foreman from Les Schwab Construction.

Chester was a wonderful father and husband. He is survived by his wife, Betty of 69 years, and son, Bill Fullerton and his wife, Aldeen, and their three children- Alicia, Elizabeth, and Gail. Alicia and Terrance, husband John Pearce’s children are, Trystin, and twin girls Ashley, and Katlyn; Elizabeth and Zack Moore’s two children, Mackenzie and Isaac, Gail and her sons, Gage West and Liam, all of Casper, Wyoming; daughter, Virginia and Dennis Sporalsky and their three children: Angela, Benjamin and Hillery. Angela and her husband, Edward Tao and their child Arya of Livermore, California; son, Benjamin and Heather Sporalsky and their three children, Hannah, Abigail, and Emmett of Bend; daughter, Hillery and Zane Edinger and their two sons Clancy and Chaney of Meeker, Colorado; son, David Fullerton and wife, Carol of Redmond and three step children James, Jennifer, and Vonnie and their 14 children.

Chester directed that there would be no services; there will be a gathering at a later date. St. Charles Hospice was of great help to the family, please if you want to make a contribution to St. Charles Hospice. 2275 NE Doctors Dr. Bend, Oregon 97701.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home, Bend. Please visit the online registry for the family at www.niswonger-reynolds.com.