Chestnut, Vercell M.

Vercell M. Chestnut, 92, of Ankeny, formerly from Cedar Rapids and Waverly, passed away Tuesday, June 21, 2011, at Mercy Hospice in Johnston. Services: 11 a.m. Saturday, June 25, at Hope Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids by Pastor Dan Clark-Bridges. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service and one hour before the service at the church. Burial: Harlington Cemetery, Waverly.

Vercell was born May 3, 1919, to Fred and Myrtle (McDermott) Chestnut in Waverly. He was the youngest of eight children. He graduated from Waverly High School in 1938. He was one of the key players on the basketball team and also participated in football and track. He married Velma Persson on May 20, 1939, in Waterloo. They had three children, Sharron (Warren) Nolte of Waverly, Gerry (Robert) Waddell of Ankeny and Michael Chestnut of Cedar Rapids.

There are 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and seven brothers and sisters.

Vercell made many friends with his special sense of humor and was loved and respected by his wife, his three children, grandchildren, and his many nieces and nephews.

Vercell enlisted in the Army in 1944 and after his training at Camp Roberts he served overseas in Germany where he was on the front line. He earned several service medals, including the bronze star, and was honorably discharged in 1945. Vercell attended Coyne Electrical School in Chicago. He worked for Carnation, the city of Waverly Municipal Electrical Plant and Schield Bantam. He later took a job in Cedar Rapids, where he was chief electrical inspector when he retired in 1985.

Vercell was a 50-year member of White Shrine of Jerusalem in Cedar Rapids, Masonic Lodge 116, Eastern Star, Retired Mens Golf Association, VFW in Waverly, Brotherhood of Electrical Workers No. 405 and Hope Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids.

Please sign the online guest book for Vercell at  under obituaries.