Chet Iery

Chet Iery Sr., age 86 of Circleville, died Friday, December 14, 2012, at Pickaway Manor Care Center. He was born September 27, 1926, in Portsmouth, OH, son of the late Arthur T. and Gertrude (Webb) Iery.

Chet entered the U.S. Army in 1943. He served with the 517th Airborne Infantry, 13thAirborne Infantry, 101st Airborne Infantry and in the Honor Guard for the United Nations. He left the regular U.S. Army in 1947 and was assigned to the following reserve units: 37th Infantry, 166thInfantry, and 216th Combat Engineer Brigade. During his service in the U.S. Army, Chet was assigned as Army paratrooper. While in the Ohio National Guard, he served in various capacities and retired as a First Sergeant in 1987 with over 40 years of service to his country.

Along with his military career, Chet was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Circleville Masonic Lodge, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, American Legion, AMVETS, Elks Lodge, Moose Lodge, Lions Club, and the Soldier's Monumental Association. From 1958 until 1990, Chet started off every Pumpkin Show parade by igniting the big boom. He also coordinated and provided additional security support for Circleville during the show.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 56 years, Ruth E. Iery; brother Richard Elsie Ross Iery; half-brother Thomas M. Stone. He is survived by his sons, Chet (Cathy) Iery Jr., of Circleville and David (Gillian) Iery of Rocky Mount, NC; grandchildren Chet (Stacey) Iery III of Zionsville, IN, Cassy (Michael) Sullivan, of Canal Winchester, Anthony and Ben Iery of Columbus, Brittany Iery of Raleigh, NC, and Michaela Iery of Hickory, NC; great grandchildren Jacob and Isabella Iery and Alaina Diehl.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, December 19, 2012, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 135 E. Mound St., Circleville with Pastor Gerhard Kraus officiating. Interment with military honors to follow at Forest Cemetery. Family will receive friends from 4-8 PM Tuesday at Defenbaugh-Wise-Schoedinger Funeral Home, 151 E. Main St., Circleville, and 1 hour prior to the service Wednesday at the church.

Family requests memorial contributions to Berger Hospice Care, 1170 N. Court St, Circleville, Ohio, 43113, or Trinity Lutheran Church, 135 E. Mound St, Circleville, Ohio, 43113.

Visit www.schoedinger.com to share a favorite memory of Chet.