Chester "Ronnie" Weronko

Chester John “Ronnie” Weronko, age 97, a resident of Good Samaritan Home in Quincy, Illinois and formerly of Versailles, Illinois passed away at 2:24 a.m. on Sunday January 7, 2018 at Good Samaritan Home.

He was born March 6, 1920 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the son of Joseph and Vincenta Sysko Weronko.  He married Dorothy Glenn on July 27, 1946 in Plattsmouth, Nebraska and she preceded him in death on March 3, 2016. 

Mr. Weronko retired from the military having served his country in the United States Army Air Corps, the United States Army Air Force and the United States Air Force from 1941 until 1967; Mr. Weronko had the distinction of being one of 625 enlisted leaders from pool of 58,000 selected to attain the rank of Chief Master Sergeant at its inauguration in 1959. This elite group of leaders received the title of Charter Chief.  He was a veteran of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

Mr. Weronko then worked for McDonnell Douglas Corporation in Long Beach, California for 10 years before retiring in 1979.

He graduated from Union High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His military career transferred him to several foreign and domestic locations where he attended numerous colleges including the University of Omaha, the University of Maryland, the University of Alaska, and he graduated from American River College in Sacramento, California.

Chester was active in the Mt. Sterling Presbyterian Church of Christ and was also a member of the Mt. Sterling American Legion Post #374 and the Brown County VFW Post #1059.  He always enjoyed reading and golfing.

Survivors include 3 children: Sandy Halonen (Bryce) of Monroe, Oregon, Linda Retting (Greg) of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Glenn Weronko (Mary) of Springfield, Illinois; 2 brothers Harry and Joseph Weronko both of Grand Rapids, Michigan; 4 grandchildren: Lauren Weronko of Springfield, Illinois, Sean Weronko (Rebecca) of Irvine, California, and Andy and Dee Retting both of Colorado Springs, Colorado; 2 great granddaughters Ella and Amelia Weronko both of Irvine, California also survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers and 2 sisters.

Per his request, cremation has been accorded and a memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 26, 2018 in the  Mt. Sterling Presbyterian Church of Christ with Rev. Richard Young officiating. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to services at the church.

Graveside services will then be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 26, 2018 at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois with Military Honors conducted by the Scott Air Force Base Funeral Honors Detail.

Memorials are suggested to the Mt. Sterling Presbyterian Church of Christ and may be left at the Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling.

Condolences for the family may be left online at www.hendrickerfuneralhome.com.

The Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling is in charge of the arrangements.