Chester Thomas Fryer
June 1, 1920 - March 11, 2019

Chester Thomas Fryer, age 98, passed away March 11, 2019, in Indianola, Iowa. Chester was born June 1, 1920, in Council Bluffs, to the late Thomas and Ida Beck Fryer and grew up in Council Bluffs, graduating from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1939. After high school, Chester enlisted in the Army Air Force where he served until the end of World War II. Chester was united in marriage to Marjorie Virginia Ellis Fryer on May 4, 1941; their 78th anniversary would have been this May. To this union, four children were born; Thomas, Judith, Steven, and John. The family lived in Council Bluffs until the early 60s, when they moved to Omaha to be near their new business, The Bike Shop. In 2009, due to health issues, Chester and Marjorie moved to Des Moines and later, to Indianola to be near their daughter. Most recently, Chester was a resident of Westview Care Center in Indianola, Iowa. During the last few years, he suffered from extreme dementia; however, he was always a "people person," and would smile at visitors. He especially enjoyed visits from children and dogs. Chester was an avid fisherman, enjoying fishing trips to Minnesota, Canada, Nevada, and once to the Arctic Circle. He was also a devoted "Big Red" fan, and loved watching the games. Chester always had a curious mind and even after he developed dementia spent many hours reading. Being in high school band, where he played clarinet, gave Chester a life-long love of music, especially big-band music. Chester and Marjorie were partners in business as well as in life, spending many long hours together at The Bike Shop in the Benson area of Omaha. Chester became known throughout the area as "the bike man." Chester was an elder in the Community of Christ church, where he served selflessly for many years. In addition to his parents, Chester is preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie, and sons, Thomas Chester Fryer and Steven Craig Fryer. Chester is survived by his daughter, Judith Fryer Philbrook and her husband, Paul of Indianola, Iowa; son, John Ellis Fryer and his wife, Joanie of Ferndale, Washington; grandson, Noel Philbrook of Puyallup, Washington; granddaughter, Susan Philbrook of Minneapolis, Minnesota; grandson, Thom (Peter) Fryer and his wife, Christie of Salina, Kansas; granddaughter, Autumn Fryer Harvey and her husband, Alex of Tempe, Arizona; and several great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Memorials are suggested to Outreach International, a humanitarian organization that works in communities to eradicate the world's deepest poverty; 112 West 18th Street, Kansas City, MO 64108, https//outreach-international.org/

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