Chester C. Boden Jr., age 85, of the Illinois Veterans Home, died on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at the Illinois Veterans Home. Chester was born on May 28, 1931 in Quincy, Illinois the son of Chester O. and Margaret (Leonard) Boden Sr. Chester married Joan M. Spilker on September 8, 1951 in Houston, Mo. Joan passed on December 3, 2011. Chester worked for the United States Post Office and retired after 33 years. He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.

Chester Boden proudly served his country as a medic in the United States Army during the Korean War, achieving rank of sergeant first class. Chester was Missing in Action and a Prisoner of War from February 24, 1953 until August 30, 1953. Chester received the Purple Heart, the Korean Service Medal, Prisoner of War Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, 3 Bronze Stars, United Nations Service Medal and the Army Good Conduct Medal for his service. He was written about in 2 books about the war, one named “Battle at the 38th Parallel”.

Very devoted and loving father and grandfather and he loved babies. He was a jokester and known to be a flirt by his nurses. He enjoyed time with his family hunting, fishing and bowling. He enjoyed smoking fish and chicken and loved a good cold miller. He is known for his famous fudge and angel food cake. He was a Die Hard Chicago Cubs fan, belonged to the Rocky Point Club, the Eagles Club and VFW.
He was the past president of the Lester Hammond chapter of Korean War vets. He also had the privilege to unveil the Korean War memorial at the Illinois Veterans Home.
Chester was able to go on the honor flight to Washington, DC with his son Larry in April of 2013.

Chester is survived by: FOUR SONS: Larry Boden, Jerry Boden and his wife Pamela, Roger Boden and his significant other Michelle, Bobby Boden and his wife Stephanie all of Quincy.
FOUR DAUGHTERS: Margaret Stump and her husband Marion, Kathy Schneider, Debora Helmers and Tina Henaifesh and her husband Nasser all of Quincy. DAUGHTER- IN- LAW: Vicki Boden of Quincy.
SIBLINGS: Margaret Cook, Jim Boden and his wife Marge.
GRANDCHILDREN: Kim Stump, Matt Stump, Tricia Boden, Shanna Willis and her husband Dustin, Brad V. Boden, Jenessa Boden, Tammy Blair and her husband Jim , Michael Maas, Rebecca Schneider, Peggy Zorio, Richard Schneider, Chester Bowen, John T. Garrett and his wife Katie, Dawn Hankins and her husband Josh, Marcus Tapscott, Bryan Boden, Alexandria Leonard, Samantha Reed, Leeza Platt, Natosha Allen and her husband Randy, Jaimse Henaifesh, Jamarr Henaifesh, Jeremiah Henaifesh, Linzy Henaifesh, Dustin Goodwin and his wife Amanda, Nathen Boden and his wife Jill, Trista Boden, Crista Koogler and her husband Kevin, Steven Baker, Brandy Wright and her husband Larry, Brandon Boden and his wife Rayna, Kimi Boden, Garion Sutton and his wife Abigail, Kylle Sparks, Britney Boden and Brooke Boden.
47 Great Grandchildren and 1 Great-Great Grandchild.

Chester was preceded in death by his wife Joan, his parents, one son, Brad C. Boden and one brother, John Boden.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 8, 2017 at 9:30 a.m. in the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home and at 10:00 a.m. in Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Interment in Greenmount Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Duker & Haugh Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Great River Honor Flight.

The family asks that you wear your favorite baseball team shirt to the visitation.