Joe Melvin Chester, Jr.

Joe Melvin Chester Jr. suitably took his last breaths Martin Luther King Observance day, January 19, 2026 with loved ones at his ear and bedside. He was born in Cleveland OH, June 29, 1952. As son of Joe M Chester Sr and Sudie Edwards-Chester-Easley, he comes from the Chester lineage descending from Jackson Chester, Sonk Chester, James Tipton Chester, to Henry Chester 1846 in Christian County KY. Through his marriage to Shelia [Porter] Chester, they both had their only two children, Joe M. Chester III and Shelantea (Walter) Fisher.

Joe was a member of the Plumber’s & Pipefitters 136 Union and a committed service engineer with Deaconess Hospital. He left Evansville in 2006 to work for Piedmont in Atlanta, GA before retiring in Winterhaven, FL. Joe was an entrepreneur passionate about keeping family connected through picnics, FB, phone calls, and gatherings. Joe attended St. Agatha Elementary, Harry E Davis MS, John Hay High School all in Cleveland, Local 136 apprenticeship, Ivy Tech, and various business trainings in Evansville.

He was optimistic and happy everywhere he went, or what he went through: always ready with a playful tune to make a stranger smile, or a light praise of how God was good to him. His favorite phrases were: I was born for lovin’ and I’ll never be free, and “I tell you life is good, and God is good”. He would always remind you how happy he was to be living another day, responding to a “How are you” with a zealous: “I’m alive!”. Joe will be dearly missed, as he has encouraged all connected so many lives on a daily basis.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Sudie Easley of Orange, CA, his father Joe of Cleveland OH, and his older brother Robert Joe Chester who passed as an infant. Joe was a father figure to many children and family by raising them for a season. Of those are: Laron, Tyreca, Tyran, Latyshon, Carlos, Nikki, Meeka, Robbie, Lisa, Kell, Kyrah, “Smurf”, … too many to name. He is survived by his sisters; Shaaron Benson, Tanya Moon, Maria Chester of Columbus OH, Cheryl Bugg who patiently assisted him until his last breaths. He leaves a host of loved ones from half-siblings: Alan, Vanessa, and Angela, grandchildren of his son, Joe: LaKess-iah (Germany), Karae (IN), Kyren (IN/FL), Kylen (IN), and his daughter, Shelantea: Walter Hosiah, Jehanna, & Benaiah (Evansville In), the entire Chester and Edwards family Connections, his ladies, and friends. His enthusiasm, energy, and love will be hard to fill.