Chester J. Risker

Chester J. Risker, 92, of Elizabeth Twp., died Tuesday, January 21, 2014. He was born May 21, 1921 in West Newton and was the son of the late George and Laura Curry Risker. He was husband of the late Ethel L. Maurer Risker, who died August 14, 2007. He was a retired Motor Inspector and Electrician for the former US Steel National Tube Works. He was a member of F & AM Blythe Lodge 593 in West Newton, Elizabeth VFW, South Pointe Marcellus Shale Chamber of Commerce, and the Honda Gold Wing Club. (He rode his motorcycle till he was 85 years old). Chester was a WWII Veteran, inducted into the Air Force as an airplane mechanic and then was transfered to the Army during the Battle of the Bulge. He received numerous medals including the Good Conduct Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze stars, the WWII Victory Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal and the American Campaign Medal. He was the first of three generations of licensed airplane pilots, which includes his son, Dale and grandson, Cody He is survived by his sons, Chester G. "Butch" (Vicki) Risker of Fort Lauderdale, FL, and Dale W. (Deborah) Risker of Joffre, grandchildren, Scott Risker of Forward Twp, , Chad Risker of Cedar Key, FL, Blake Risker of West Chester and Cody Risker of Olmsted Falls, OH, great-grandsons, Joshua, Trey and Colton, sister-in-law, Daryl Risker of West Newton, and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by sisters, Betty Belser, Joan Messner and Gladys Kane and a brother, Norman Risker. Friends are welcome Friday, January 24 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM, at the Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 6028 Smithfield Street, Boston, Elizabeth Township. Service will be held in the funeral home chapel on Saturday January 25 at 10:00 AM, with The Rev. Dennis Handley, officiating. Interment with Military Honors will follow at the West Newton Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society, 1101 Western Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15233. Condolences may be made at www.gilbertfuneralhomeandcrematory.com