Chester E. McMillen

Chester E. “Chet” McMillen, 89 years old, of Summerville, passed away peacefully Sunday evening, July 16, 2023 at the Penn Highlands Jefferson Manor Dementia wing. He was born on February 13, 1934 in Strattanville; son of the late Chester E. And Rose M. Wolfe McMillen. Chet was a graduate of Clarion Area High School where he excelled in sports, especially football. After graduation, Chet attended Clarion State Teachers College for 2 years, always wanted to be a History teacher and football coach, but funds ran out so he needed to work full-time for PennDOT. Chet moved onto a career with the American General Life Insurance Company. He saw his clients weekly to collect premiums on insurance and if money was tight, Chet would lend people the few dollars needed to pay the premium so they could keep their insurance. He married Geraldine M. “Gerry” Bauer on October 18, 1955, who preceded him in death on May 7, 2023. Chet enjoyed an exceptional professional life, was always eager to play ball with his ambitious children, fish or hang out with his energetic grandsons, and was especially grateful for the many wonderful years he shared with his wife. Chet became a big fan of Clarion Limestone School District as his kids became high school students there and was very involved in the early days of the CL football program, and remained a CL Booster, never missing a game for 40+ years. He served as a Clarion Limestone School District Board Member for a dozen years, often as President, and worked diligently to do whatever he could to help the school district. Chet also was a Limestone Township Supervisor for 6 years trying to help the community as best he could, and was a volunteer for the Limestone Township Fire Department. Chet was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Clarion and later in life, worked many years as the Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery Manager, spending countless hours contacting hundreds of parishioners to offer options for end of life cemetery plans, and was always there for the burials when the time came. Chet is survived by his three daughters, Susanne McMillen and Theresa McMillen of Clarion and Stephanie Oates and her husband, Blaise, of Tinley Park, Illinois; one son, Patrick McMillen and his wife, Karen, of Summerville; and five grandsons, Benjamin and Jacob McMillen, and Lucas, Jordan, and Tyler Oates. In addition to his parents and wife, Chet was preceded in death by his infant brother, Thomas; a brother, Newt; and his sisters, Dorothy Lander, Jane Collett, and Ruth Shingledecker. The Robert V. Burns Funeral Home in Clarion is handling the arrangements. Chet’s family will receive friends from noon to 1 p.m. on Saturday July 22, 2023 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Clarion where Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 1 p.m. with Rev. Monty Sayers presiding. Interment will take place in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery. The family would like to extend a special thanks and immense gratitude to those who cared for Chet over the last three months, including friend and former caretaker, Sherri Reno, who visited Chet often at Jefferson Manor, the compassionate Clarion Forest V.N.A. Hospice Staff and the Jefferson Manor wonderful caregivers who did their best to give our dad happy moments during his time there. You were always appreciated. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Chet’s honor to the Clarion Forest VNA Hospice, 271 Perkins Road, Clarion, PA 16214.

Chester E. McMillen

February 13, 1934 - July 16, 2023