Memorial services for Chester Earl Slagell, 87 year-old Hydro, Oklahoma resident, will be held Sunday, December 28, 2014, 2:00 P.M. at Bethel Mennonite Church of Hydro with Bob Sprunger and Warren Slagell officiating. Services are directed by Lockstone Funeral Home of Weatherford. The family will receive friends Saturday evening at the funeral home from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M.

Chester was born March 19, 1927, in Hydro, Oklahoma to John and Alice (Schantz) Slagell and passed away Tuesday, December 23, 2014, at Weatherwood Assisted Living in Weatherford, Oklahoma. Chester was raised and attended school north of Hydro, Oklahoma and graduated from Hopewell Rural School. He received a Bachelors degree in education from Hesston College and taught at Jabbok School. On December 22, 1953, he married Ruth Harder in Upland, California and made their home north of Hydro. Chester farmed for numerous years and was a minister for over 30 years at Pleasant View Mennonite Church He also pastured Bethel Mennonite Church in Hydro and also First Mennonite Church in Clinton, Oklahoma. He enjoyed reading, traveling, music, and singing in the Slagell Quartet. Memorials may be made to the City Rescue Mission or Hydro First Responders.

Chester is survived by one son, Stephen Slagell and wife, Dori of Weatherford, Oklahoma; three daughters, Lynette Duerksen and husband, Marlo of Goessel, Kansas, Celia Mol and husband, Tony of Hydro, Oklahoma, and Elaine Unruh and husband, John of Newton, Kansas; one brother, Harold Slagell of Corn, Oklahoma; one sister-in-law Ida Slagell of Hydro, Oklahoma; nine grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; two brothers, Walter and Maurice; and two sisters, Mildred and Doris.