×

Russel E. ‘Russ’ Chidester

Russel E. “Russ” Chidester, 96, of Marietta passed away on Sunday (April 13, 2014) at his home.

He was born on May 28, 1917, in Marietta, a son of Albert Cleveland and Lenna D. Nicholson Chidester. He was the owner and operator of Russ Chidester piano tuning from 1948 until 2010. Russ had his own band for over 75 years, “The Rhythm Aces” which played a variety styles of music and had performed all over the tri-state area.

On Dec. 20, 1934, he married Edna Flannery who preceded him in death on Aug. 19, 1995.

Russ is survived by his son, Herbert W. Chidester of Marietta; two grandchildren, Rick Chidester and Charlie (Paula) Chidester; three great-grandchildren, Aaron L., Stacy L. and Caitlyn M. Chidester; two great-great-grandchildren, Hayleigh D. Chidester and Isabella M. Heath; two stepgreat-great-grandchildren, Nathan and Westin Ritchie; brother, Kenneth Chidester; and sister, Naomi Muntz.

He was preceded in death by brothers, George, Addison and Wayne Chidester, sister Kathryn Townsend, and granddaughter-in-law Cindy Chidester.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday (April 17) at 11 a.m. at McClure-Schafer-Lankford Funeral Home with Denis Frary officiating. Burial will follow in Tunnel Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday after 2 p.m., with family present from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Messages of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.Lankfordfh.com.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Hospice, Kathy Ball and Paula Chidester for all their special care of Russ during his illness.