Chester Rubner

Chester H. Rubner Jr., 91, passed away Wednesday, March 3, 2010 in Abilene. His graveside service with the Reverend Jimmy Griffith officiating will be held at 12 noon on Monday in Elmwood Memorial Parks Garden of Faith under the direction of Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 HWY 277 South.

Chester was born on February 11, 1919 in Cambridge Massachusetts the son of Chester Henry Rubner Sr and Helen Irene Zelck Rubner. He married Bess Cardwell on November 26, 1953 in Greenville Mississippi. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1942 to 1973 when he retired from Dyess as a Lt. Colonel. During his military career, he served one tour in Korea and 3 tours in Vietnam. In WW II, he flew the P47 Thunderbolt in over 90 missions over Europe as a fighter pilot with the 8th Air Force Pavilion 356th Fighter Group. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze and Silver Stars for distinguished service, as well as the Air Metal with three Oak Leaf Clusters. In 1997, he was awarded the Jubilee of Liberty Medal bestowed in gratitude by the people of Normandy.

Chester was a member of Ridgemont Baptist Church and was a lifetime Shriner. He always enjoyed fellowship with his peers over a friendly game of golf.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Bess of Abilene 6 children, John A. Rubner of Haskell County, Jimmy Rubner of California, Janet Jeffcoat of Haskell, Michael W. Rubner and wife Linda of Abilene, Pamela A. Denson and husband Jerry of Abilene, and Mark T. Rubner of Abilene and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He will be dearly missed.

Service

Cemetery