John Chester Coonfield

September 4, 1912 - May 14, 2003

John “Chester” Coonfield, of Eureka, died on Wednesday, May 14, 2003, at Medicalodge of Eureka, at the age of 90. He was born in Vaughn, Arkansas on September 4, 1912, the son of Benjamin Wallace and Lattie (Little) Coonfield. Chester was raised in Vaughn and attended schools in Vaughn and Decatur. After his schooling he entered the United States Army and served his country during World War II with honor and distinction. In October of 1941 he was united in marriage to Thelma Wright in Iola, Kansas. After his discharge from the Army they made their home in Wichita, Kansas where Chester worked for Cessna Aircraft as a welder. He retired from Cessna in 1972. He then opened his own trucking and backhoe business in Wichita. On March 2, 1981, Thelma preceded him in death. Chester continued working in his business until 1987, when he was united in marriage to Twila Black. They made their home in Eureka where he and Twila owned and operated the Carriage House Motel. In 2000, they sold the motel and retired. Chester was a member of the Prince of Peace Pentecostal Holiness Church of Eureka, the Eureka Lyons Club and he was a Mason. He is survived by one daughter, Joyce Wells of Sallisaw, Oklahoma and many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Thelma, two brothers, and six sisters. A visitation was held on Friday, May 16, 2003, at the Koup Family Funeral Home. Graveside services were held on Saturday, May 17, 2003, at Coffelt Cemetery in Vaughn, Arkansas with Mr. Don Coonfield officiating. A memorial has been established in his name to the Chester Coonfield Memorial Fund. Contributions may be sent in care of the funeral home.