Chester Hedrick

Chester W. Hedrick, age 88, of Pilot Grove, passed away Wednesday, November 5, 2008, at the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital in Columbia. He was born March 31, 1920, in High Gate, Missouri, the son of Charles and Elsie Tipton Hedrick. He was raised in the Eldon area, and attended school and church at Aurora Springs, a community near Eldon. At age 12, he was saved, baptized, and became a member of the Aurora Springs Baptist Church. On June 5, 1939, he enlisted in the U.S. Army at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. He served six years, which included World War II. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart for his service in Germany. He was united in marriage to Mae Gover in 1942. To this union a daughter, Judith was born. Later, on June 9, 2007, he married Lois Phillips at the Calvary Baptist Church in Versailles. While stationed at Fort Knox, KY, during a revival meeting, at the Muldrough Baptist Church, the Lord called Chester to preach. He was licensed to preach by the Baptist Church in New Providence, TN, and was ordained by the Baptist Church in Erin, TN, while in the Army. After his discharge from the Army, he went to Abilene, TX, and entered the Hardin-Simmons University in 1945, and completed his work in 1949. While he was in school, he pastored several churches. He also attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. His time there ended in October of 1958, by what was believed to be a heart attack. He pastored churches in Texas, Missouri, and Illinois. He also held Bible Studies in Bella Vista and at the Bentonville Manor in Arkansas. Chester became an elementary school teacher, and a part-time elementary principal in the Hutto, Texas school district. He retired after fifteen years. He retired from the ministry, but didn’t stop preaching. He was currently holding church services at the Katy Manor in Pilot Grove. Chester moved from Texas to Versailles, in 1984, and moved to Bella Vista, Arkansas in 1997, and back to Versailles in 2006. He is survived by his wife, Lois Hedrick of the home; one daughter, Judith Koon of Georgetown, TX; two step-daughters, Elizabeth Davis of Boonville and Helen Gerke and husband Tom of Pilot Grove; two grandchildren, Stacye Walden and husband Chris of Panama City, FL and Joel Koon and wife Sonja of Austin, TX; two great-grandchildren with Baby Walden on the way, Alex and Amber Koon of Austin, TX; four step-grandchildren, Liz Ann Priesendorf of Independence, Greg Gerke, Steve Gerke, and Chris Gerke all of Pilot Grove; nine step- great-grandchildren, T.J. Priesendorf and Ricky Exton both of Independence, Evan Gerke, Maggie Gerke, Aden Gerke, Blake Gerke, Lane King, Layton Sanders, and Brianna Sanders, all of Pilot Grove; one brother, Clarence Hedrick and wife Betty of Independence; and several nephews, nieces, family, and special people and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Goldie Cureton, one brother and sister-in-law, Floyd and Jeanie Hedrick, and a niece Connie. Death is the end for physical life. However, there is a future place for all people, including you. Heaven is for God’s people, the redeemed, who have accepted Jesus as their Saviour. Are you one of God’s people? If not, why not? Think about it. Then, do something about it! Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 8, at the Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home in Versailles with the Reverends Bill Johnson and Don Allcorn officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, November 7, at the funeral home. Interment with full military honors will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery near Versailles. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Baptist Home in Ironton, Missouri. Expressions of sympathy may be left online at www.kidwellgarber.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home of Versailles.

Chester Hedrick

November 5, 2008

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Chester Hedrick

November 5, 2008

About Us

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