Chester "Curly" Midkiff

SHADE – Chester "Curly" Midkiff, 86, of Shade, died early Saturday morning, December 27, 2014 at his daughters home. Born March 16, 1928 in Ranger, WV, he was the son of the late W.C. and Bessie M. Ferguson Midkiff. He married Clara Littler on July 10, 1948 and had two children, Ronald D. (Sheryl) Midkiff and Patti (Bob) Smith with whom he resided. He retired from Navistar International after 30 years of employment where he was a paint mixer and painter. After retirement he returned to the family farm where he raised cattle, chickens and rabbits. He also cut and sold firewood for many years. He took great pride in his beautiful gardens and was always happy to share his harvest with everyone. He also enjoyed participating in the Farmers Market for several years. He loved hunting, but his greatest pleasure was in fishing, especially in Canada and Lake Erie. In later years due to his health, he fished in neighborhood ponds with his son and son-in-law. Besides his wife and two children, he is survived by eight grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; 15 great great grandchildren and one on the way. He is also survived by a brother, Tom of South Charleston, OH; and a sister who also was his fishing buddy, Ona Mae Elliot of Albany. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by five brothers, Willis, Ellis, Elmer, Willard, Jr., and Robert; three sisters, Odessa, Estella and Maxine; and a granddaughter, Emily. Our family would like to express our thanks to Appalachian Community Hospice and Visiting Nurses. Services will be Tuesday at 1:00 PM at Hughes-Moquin Funeral Home Rev. Georganne Thomas officiating. Burial will be in Burson Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home Tuesday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Appalachian Community Hospice and Visiting Nurses, 30 Herrold Avenue, Athens, Ohio 45701. You may sign the online guestbook or leave a private message of sympathy for the family at www.hughesmoquinfuneralhome.com.