Chester A. Severyn

SEVERYN, Chester A., 92, of Springfield, died May 29, 2015, in the Springfield Regional Medical Center Hospice. He was born in Pittsburgh, PA, to Antoni Jan Seweryn and Ludwica (Mikulec) Seweryn. St. Cyprian Church records list his Polish name: Mieczyslaus Seweryn. Chet retired as an electronics technician from Wright-Patterson AFB after 33 years of federal service, where he was involved in development, design, testing, and troubleshooting military avionics systems, including communications, navigation, monitoring and test equipment. For many projects he was the principal technician. In Oct. 1940, after graduation from Canonsburg, PA, high school, he enlisted in the US Army Air Force. In the early years of World War II he was assigned to receive specialized aircraft maintenance training at Chanute Field, Illinois, Kansas City (TWA), Long Beach (Douglas Aircraft), and Detroit (Chevrolet). He met Rosemary in 1941 attending a USO picnic while assigned to Patterson Field, Dayton; they married Jan. 19, 1946. Chet served in the China-Burma-India theatre of operations. He reached the rank of Master Sergeant in the 14th Combat Cargo Squadron, in charge of maintenance for C-46 aircraft "flying the hump" over the Himalayas to supply the Nationalist Chinese Army. He attended the University of Kansas for 2-1/2 years. Chet was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council 624, and was Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 40. He enjoyed his vegetable garden (especially his famous annual crop of Brandywine tomatoes), golf anywhere, summer vacations fishing and with his family at Elk Lake, MI. Survivors include children (and spouses) John (Ruth) Severyn, Livermore, CA, Steve (Sarah) Severyn, Dayton, OH, Tom (Kris) Severyn, Centerville, OH, Cathy Lundy, Elk Rapids, MI, Paul (Colleen) Severyn, North Canton, OH, Tony (Grace) Severyn, Blue Ash, OH, 15 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, two brothers, Stan (Jane) Severyn, Walt (Marcella) Severyn, two sisters, Flo DuCharme, Louise (Wayne) Cimino and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his loving wife of 65 years Rosemary (Welker) Severyn, four brothers Hank, Tony, Ted, Fred, three sisters Jean Piechnick, Josephine Seward, Virginia Mack, and son-in-law Doug Lundy. Friends may call from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday in the CONROY FUNERAL HOME. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in St. Joseph Catholic Church, 819 Kenton St, Springfield, OH. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Springfield. Donations in memory of Chet may be made to St. Joseph/St. Raphael Parish, 225 E. High St. Springfield, OH, 45505 or your favorite charity.