Joseph A. Chester, 78, passed away Saturday, January 16th, 2016 at his home in Portage, Indiana after a brave battle with cancer.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Barbara (nee Wisner) Chester, son Joseph (Jennifer) Chester, son Thomas (Robin) Chester, daughter Annie (David) Endres, grandchildren Joe (Angel), Jacob and Jared Chester, Erica Tompkins, Ashley (Stacy) Weeks, Katie and Maggie Endres, great-grandsons Joey and Jackson Chester, Oliver Tompkins and Roamyn Grant. Also surviving are sisters Jean Prusiecki, Julie (Darrel) Thomas, brother Frank (Anita) Chester, sister-in-law Joanne (Ron) Williams and brother-in-law Jerry Carden.

Joe graduated from East Gary Edison High School and attended Wabash College on a football scholarship. He also attended Ball State Teacher’s College where he met his wife, Barbara.

He raised his family in Merrillville and was an active member of Saints Peter and Paul Church. Joe and Barbara moved to Portage in 1993 and then attended Saint Bridget Church in Hobart.

Joe is fondly remembered as “Coach Chester” and he touched the lives of many young people in the community. He coached CYO football at Saints Peter and Paul for 15 years. He coached CYO girls basketball, Merrillville girls softball, Merrillville Little League baseball, CYO high school basketball and he was the first coach of girls softball at Andrean High School in 1984. Coach set a winning example for all his players by instilling good sportsmanship, teamwork and fun.

He worked at US Steel Sheet and Tin Mill and retired in 1999 after 40 years as a millwright. The Coach was a loyal Chicago Cubs fan and an avid fisherman. But most of all he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend.

Our father didn’t tell us how to live. He lived and let us watch him do it.

The Chester Family extends a special thanks to the emergency room and oncology floor at Hobart Mercy Hospital. Also heartfelt thanks to Dr. Barbara Fuller and her staff as well as VNA Hospice of Valparaiso.

Family and friends may call at Pruzin Brothers Funeral Service (6360 Broadway, Merrillville) on Tuesday from 2:00-8:00 P.M. with a Service of Remembrance at 7:00 P.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 10:00 A.M. DIRECTLY from St. Bridget Catholic Church (568 East 2nd Street, Hobart) with Rev. Dominic Bertino officiating. There will be visitation at the church ½ hour prior to the Mass. Cremation will follow the Mass.

In following with Coach Chester’s love of sports, please wear your favorite fan wear or uniform instead of formal wear. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family.