Chester Lavon Lockard, Sr., 82, passed away at 10:15 AM, December 19, 2009 at his home near Eolia, Missouri. He was under Hospice care and was surrounded at his bedside by his wife, Betty  of 49 years and their family. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday December 22, at the Family Resource Center in Edgewood, MO at Hwy 61 and Rt. WW, with pastors Stan Henderson and Ron Kunzweiler officiating.  Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Louisiana, MO.  Visitation will be held from 9:00 am until time of services on Tuesday.  Mudd-Veach Funeral Home in Bowling Green is in charge of the arrangements. 

He was married to Betty Jane Curless and to this union three children were born; Carolyn Sue Dobbelare and husband Richard of Springfield, Rebecca Ann Forsythe and husband Robert of Spring, TX, Allen Lavon Lockard and wife Sharon of Eolia. He later married Betty Ann Waddell and to this union seven children were born; Lucretia Steinhage and husband Karl of Clarksville, Kathy Vahle and husband John of Greenfield, IN, Chester Lavon Lockard, Jr. and wife Roberta "Robbie"  of Laramie, WY, Christopher Lavon Lockard and wife Diane of Silex, Clinton Lavon Lockard and wife Jennifer of Clarksville, Clayton Lavon Lockard and wife Julie of Eolia, Elizabeth Danner and husband Steven of Eureka, IL. Other survivors include grandchildren; Denise Brinkmeyer and husband Alan, Brent Griffith and wife Cassandra "Casey", Scott Griffith and wife Susan, Kirk Griffith and wife Beverly, Patricia Webster, Byron Forsythe and wife Julie, Braden Forsythe and wife Cynthia, Brandon Forsythe, Shane Lockard and wife Sheri, Courtney Elder and husband Matthew "Chad", Nathan Lockard and wife Brandy, Autumn Walker and husband Timothy, Ali Lockard, Neal Lockard, Alena Lockard, Tabitha Baker and husband Jacob, Amanda Steinhage, Walter Steinhage, Katherine "Katie" Vahle, Kristin "Kristie" Vahle, Georganne Lockard, Savannah Lockard, Caroline Lockard, Charlotte Lockard, Alexander "Cole" Lockard, Taylor Lockard, Samuel Lockard, Charis Lockard, Arielle Lockard, Rebekah Lockard, Isaiah Lockard, Cameron Lockard, Collin Lockard, Calynn Lockard, Caragan Lockard, Carlyn Lockard, Kyle Lockard, Jillian Lockard, Nikolle "Nikki" Danner, Miles Danner, and Mitchell Danner.; great grandchildren Ross Forsythe, Hope Forsythe, Jordyn Forsythe, Sarah Forsythe, Amanda Brinkmeyer, Maechelle Brinkmeyer, Christina Brinkmeyer, Jack Brinkmeyer, Stephanie Brinkmeyer, Marissa Brinkmeyer, Larissa Griffith, Justin Griffith, Brenton "BJ" Griffith, Jacob Griffith, Laraya Griffith, Brittany Griffith, Courtney Griffith, Emily Griffith, Elysha Griffith, Daniel Griffith, Madison Griffith, Austin Lockard, Christian Lockard, Jaina Lockard, Hailey Elder, Matthew Elder, Nathanial Lockard, Ashton Lockard, Natalie Lockard, Calum Waller, Nolan Waller, Jayden Baker, Bailey Baker, Lillian Baker; brothers, Raymond Lockard and wife Velma of Yuma, AZ, Jim Lockard and wife Vera of St. Louis, Jack Lockard and wife Mary Nell of Brimfield, IL’ sisters, Twila Lewsader of Pearland, TX, Thelma Easterling of Lansing, MI, Betty June Jennings of Lewistown, IL; numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents Ollie and Nellie Lockard, brother Ronald Lockard, sister-in-law Jesse Lockard.

He was an evangelistic Christian leader who loved the Lord and helped spread God’s word through sharing the Gospel and sponsoring Christian services. He was a member of the Dover Baptist Church at Clarksville, Missouri and also regularly attended Cowboy Church in Bowling Green, Missouri.

His occupations during his life included excavation & levy building, farming, insurance sales, organic fertilizer sales, land development, and he was an entrepreneur developing several other businesses.

His likes and hobbies included watching his children and grandchildren play sports, coaching basketball teams for 4-H and Show-Me-State Games, wild mushroom hunting, horse back riding, and working with livestock. When he was young he enjoyed bowling, volleyball, and rodeos. In his later years he enjoyed helping his son’s with their businesses. He cherished spending time with his family. Each year he looked forward to the family reunions where more than 106 of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren would gather. He will be greatly missed.

Serving as pallbearers will be his five sons Allen Lavon Lockard, Chester Lavon Lockard, Christopher Lavon Lockard, Clinton Lavon Lockard, Clayton Lavon Lockard and close friend Raymond Ochs.