Chester E. Fleming

Chester (Chet) Evans Fleming, 93, of Monroe, OH, formerly of Elkview and Charleston, WV passed away October 7, 2025. Chet was born February 11, 1932 in Charleston, WV. The family moved to Jenkins, KY soon thereafter. He was the son of T. N. and Lou Emma Fleming. In addition to his parents, Chet was preceded in death by his brothers Thomas, Herman and Ernest; sisters Grace Nichols, Ruth Rast and Rose McQuaide.

Chet enlisted in the Army at age 16, lying about his age. Twenty-one years later, he retired from the Army as a Master Sergeant, the last 13 years in the Explosive Ordinance Disposal. Following his Army career, Chet was hired by the United States Secret Service in the Technical Security Division where he traveled on the advance team for the President and Vice President during the Johnson and Nixon administrations. Returning to West Virginia, Chet graduated from Glenville State College, Glenville, WV. He worked for Lester Construction and Mountwood Park, before being hired by the WV Department of Environmental Engineering Division where he trained, tested and certified water plant operators. After retiring from Environmental Engineering, he was hired by West Virginia Rural Water Association as a program manager and later as a Groundwater Technician. 

In retirement Chet devoted his time and passion to working with veterans. He was a member of the WV Veterans Council, which worked on behalf of veterans and made recommendations for legislation to the Governor s Office and the State Veterans Affairs Office. In addition to designing the Korean War Veterans Memorial in South Charleston, WV, he oversaw its construction and spearheaded the fundraising efforts for the project. Chet was a member of the WV Korean War Veterans Association (Mountaineer Chapter) and the founding member of the KWVA (Elk River Chapter). He was a member of VUMS (Veterans of Underage Military Service); he was a life member of the VFW, KWVA and the DAV.

Chet is survived by his wife, Nancy (formerly Samples); sons, Dana (Hilda) Fleming of Elgin, SC; Sean Fleming of Charleston, WV; Eric (Michelle) Fleming of Idyllwild CA, Scott (Christina) of Columbia, SC; sister, Martha of Dayton, OH; 8 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; 6 great-great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held in Monroe, OH. A full military service will be held at a later date at the Donel C. Kinnard Veterans Cemetery, Institute, West Virginia where he will be inurned.