Chester Allen Booe, Sr., 90, Humboldt, was called to Heaven on May 4, 2011 at the Kansas City Hospice House, Kansas City, Mo.

Chester was born on April 24, 1921 in Humboldt, the youngest of 12 children of William Harrison and Othella Mae Duncan Booe. Chester attended Cottage Grove School and enjoyed the school reunions.

Chester married Ina Mabel McClellan on June 29, 1940 in Iola. Together they raised their four children; Colleen, Allen, Sherry and Christy.

Chester served in the US Navy in WWII. He worked for the Santa Fe Railroad prior to joining the Navy. When he returned from the service, he hauled milk for the Pet Milk Company in Iola. In 1952 he returned to work for the Santa Fe Railroad and retired in 1981 after more than 30 years with the railroad.Upon retirement, Chester and Ina moved from Kansas City back to Humboldt to be near family and childhood friends.

During his working years, Chester was a member of the United Transportation Union, serving as the secretary/treasurer of his local. After retirement, he became a member of the National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees, Inc. and enjoyed the monthly pot luck dinners.

Chester was a member of the First Baptist Church of Humboldt where he was an ordained Deacon and served the church in many ways. One of his proudest accomplishments was his involvement in the building of the parsonage and fellowship hall.

He is survived by his special lady friend, Emma “Catherine” Sanderson, Humboldt; four children, Colleen Wheeler, Ft. Myers, Fla, C. Allen Booe, Jr. and his wife, Beverly, Leawood, Cheryle aka Sherry Magnenat and her husband, David, Bremerton, Wash., and Christy Watson, Gardner; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and 30 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 62 years, Ina; five brothers, Murle, Everett, Ennis, Guy and Lloyd Booe; six sisters, Orpha Henley, Audrey Huffmaster, Edna Barnett, Nellie Schultz, Ostie McCoy and Mae Witty; one granddaughter and 13 nieces and nephews.

Funeral will be 10 a.m. Friday, May 6 at the First Baptist Church in Humboldt. Burial will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on this evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the church.

Memorials in his name may be made to the Kansas City Hospice House or the First Baptist Church Building Fund and may be left with the funeral home.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Chanute Heath Care Center, Shawnee Mission Medical Center and Kansas City Hospice House for the gentle loving care they provided to Chester. Special gratitude also to local family members for their many kindnesses over the past years-especially Don Booe, Maxine Menish and Betty Winkler.

Penwell-Gabel Humboldt Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

“To leave a special message for the family on-line, visit www.PenwellGabelHumboldt.com”