Chesley Theodore Koerner, age 68, of Helvetia, died Monday, February 19, 2024, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Buckhannon.

He was born on September 5, 1955, a son of the late Theodore Elwood and Shirley Jean Wilkins Koerner. On December 9, 1978, he was united in marriage to his first wife Brenda Kay Summerfield Koerner, who preceded him in death on July 28, 2013.

On January 23, 2021, he was united in marriage to Claudette Betler Brown Koerner, who survives. Also surviving are two sons: Daniel Wayne Koerner and wife Jessica of Rock Cave, and Jordan Brown and wife Cayse of Mansfield, OH; three daughters: Lisa Koerner Perry and husband Chris of Broadway, VA, Jerianne Brown Rice and husband Henry of Helvetia, and Lauren Brown Stalnaker and husband Clinton of Mansfield, OH; nine grandchildren: Wyatt and Cooper Perry, Lucas and Dylan Koerner, Morgan Rice Isley and husband Tyler, Jacob Rice, Deonta Davis, and Dallas and Virginia Rice; one great-granddaughter Magnolia Isley; two brothers: John Koerner and wife Charla of Clarksburg and Loren Koerner and wife Brenda of Concord, NC; and three sisters: Arvela Koerner of Elkins, Ivy Summerfield and husband Randy of Blue Rock, and Rezena Roth and husband Kester of Elkins.

Chesley was a 1973 graduate of Pickens High School. He was a hard worker and throughout his life he worked as a carpenter in a sawmill, in the coal mines, and finally in state government for 22 ½ years (15 years with the Railroad Division of the Public Service Commission as a track inspector and 7 ½ years with the State Rail Authority) retiring on January 1, 2022. He attended the Way of Holiness Church in Buckhannon and was an active member of the Helvetia community where he grew up and still resided. Often he could be found tending to his cattle on the family farm where he loved to spend time.

The family will receive friends on Friday, February 23, 2024, from 4 PM to 6 PM at the Way of Holiness Church. A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 24, 2024, at 11 AM at the Way of Holiness Church. Private inurnment will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Blue Rock Cemetery, in care of Ivy Summerfield 11436 Adolph Rd Mill Creek, WV 26280; Rosenbaum Family House, PO Box 8228 Morgantown, WV 26506; or to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 42217, Cincinnati, OH 45242.

Online condolences may be extended to the Koerner family at www.heavnerandcutright.com. The Koerner family entrusted the Heavner & Cutright Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service with the arrangements. 

My Buckhannon publishes obituaries free of charge as a courtesy to the family. Readers can support our publication by becoming a premium member.