Ersel Wade Chidester, Sr., age 89, of the Gaines-Canaan community of southern Upshur County, passed away at his daughter’s home on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, after a battle with Lewy body dementia and heart issues.
He was born on November 29, 1935, in Canaan, WV, to the late Orval Clinton and Icie Mae Strader Chidester. On September 8, 1956, he was united in marriage to Norma Jean Bender; the couple celebrated 65 years together before her death on January 5, 2022.
He is survived by one son, Ersel Wade Chidester, Jr. (Mickey) and wife Linda of Buckhannon; four daughters: Sharon Cathaleen Chidester of Canaan, Starrleen G. Wooddell of Green Bank, WV, Ann Renee Wilson and husband Vernon Craig of Gaines-Canaan, and Angela Marie Chidester of Shepherd, TX; one adopted daughter, Shannon Richelle Bosley of Buckhannon; seven grandchildren: Misty Dawn and husband Frank Fuller, Eric Wade Chidester, Dylan Wade Chidester and wife Eva, Brandy Ann Hedrick and Josh Hedrick, Ashley Dawn Wooddell, Kathryn Grayson (Kat) and husband Frederick Scott Dixon, and Ty Nickolas Bosley; and seven great-grandchildren: Abigale Fuller, Kyndal Alderman, Hayden Chidester, Journey Phillips, Cedric Wooddell, Luke Belch, Halayna Belch, and Keiara Vandervender. He was looking forward to meeting his first great-great grandchild to be born in April to Cedric and Carmen Wooddell, Alice Wooddell.
Also surviving are three siblings: John David Chidester of Rock Cave, Roger Clayton Chidester of Frederick, MD, and Lois Belle Arbogast of Buckhannon.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by one son, Tony Ross Chidester, and five siblings: Virgie Violet Chidester, Bonnie Belle Chidester, Elmer Clinton Chidester, Wanda Mae Nethken, and Buford Burl Chidester. Three days before his own death, on March 30, 2025, he also lost a beloved son-in-law, Forrest Clyde Wooddell of Green Bank, WV.
Our beloved father worked in many different occupations during his long life; he liked to say, “I’m a jack-of-all-trades, but a master at none.” He worked as a machinist in Ohio in the 1950s, for the Department of Highways, WV Tractor, Moore’s Business Forms, Burr’s Gravely Tractor, Long Brothers Construction, and retired from Breckenridge Corporation. He could fix anything and was always working on projects for himself or others in the community. He made beautiful furniture and a grandfather clock.
He graduated from the University of Hard Knocks, founded by the West Virginia Hillbilly and sponsored by Alderson-Broaddus College in 1997, and proudly displayed his diploma on the wall. He was most proud of finding the Lord and turning his life around. As a founding member of the Canaan Community Church — purchased from the Methodist Conference in 1977 — he served in various roles over the years, including trustee from the beginning, superintendent, Sunday School teacher, and cemetery trustee.
Our father will be missed beyond measure, as will his knowledge and stories of the Gaines, Canaan, Goshen and Eden areas.
A graveside service and interment will be held at the Canaan Community Church Cemetery on Monday, April 7, 2025, at 1:00 PM. Those who loved and wish to honor our father are invited to attend.
Online condolences may be extended to the Chidester family at www.heavnerandcutright.com. The family has entrusted the Heavner & Cutright Funeral Chapel with the arrangements.
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