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Chester Schemper
1918 - 2016
Chester Schemper
1918 - 2016
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Chester Schemper Obituary
Chester was born in Holland, to Harry and Edith (Kooyers) Schemper. He graduated from Hope College and Calvin Theological Seminary. He married Garrietta Petroelje in 1946. Chester served as a pastor in Christian Reformed Church congregations in Allendale, MI, Chicago, IL, and Calgary, AB, after which he taught at Juan Calvino Seminary in Mexico City. In 1969 he began working for the Bible League in South Holland, IL, serving as Latin American Coordinator and later as Director of New Translations. In retirement Chester and Garrietta lived in Oak Park, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his wife, Garrietta in 2011.
He is the father of Carla and Rev. Lugene Schemper [Erica and Erik Vorhes (Zora, Abram, and Hazel), Emily and Timothy Douma (Esme), Benjamin{deceased}, Mark and Allison (Sylvie), Anna and Ken Hill], Calvin (deceased), Thomas and Susan Schemper (Benjamin, Jacob and Emily, Peter), and Mary Denny (Katrina, Jonathan, Elena). Surviving siblings are Grethel Nykamp; and brother-in-law, Justin Petroelje.
A service of Christian burial will be held at 1:30 p.m., (please note: Eastern Time), Saturday, November 5, 2016, at Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th Street, Holland MI 49423. Visitation will be 12 p.m.-1:15 p.m. prior to the service. Interment will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Ebenezer CRC-Youth Programs, 1300 South Harvey, Berwyn IL 60402. www.langelandsterenberg.com
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4 Entries
Randy Van Beek
November 10, 2016
This is long and I hope it gets to the family a I do not have another way of passing this along.
As a young employee of "World Home Bible League" I have two distinct memories of Rev Schemper. One day early in my employment (started in Oct '83) I passed "Chet" in the hallway. He greeted me but I must have been absorbed in something and did not appropriately return the greeting. He gently admonished (?) me and taught me the value of courteously responding to the greeting of a co-worker. I was probably annoyed at the time thinking "I am busy!" but later realized the value and heart of the person who "called me out". Another found memory is when I recall him using the phrase "What the wide world?" in response to something that had been done / happened that did not seem to make sense. :-)
Those are just two memories make me smile. I never felt comfortable calling him by his first name--Chet--because to me he was always deserving of my utmost respect (Reverend Schemper). I am still at Bible League International (33 years) and I am still humbled when I think of the work of Rev Schemper in Brazil, Mexico and with Wycliffe. His passion to get millions of people their first copy of God's Word... What a reunion that must have been in Heaven! When I think of his servant heart, humility & passion it is with deepest sincerity I say "I thank my God every time I remember you" Phil 1:3. I know Rev Schemper's response would be Soli deo Gloria. May God richly bless the family of this "good and faithful servant". Randy Van Beek
Lynette and David Brander
November 2, 2016
We're so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful man, full of grace.
Patti Nykamp
November 1, 2016
My thoughts and prayers are with you
Wayne Van Der Zwaag
November 1, 2016
I hold fond memories of your father being my mother, Elma Jane Vanderbilt Zwaags cousin. He was one of her favorite cousins and loved receiving letters from him. He was a true man of God and had such a sweet personality, so much as his dear mother Aunt Edith. We as a family loved her and Uncle Harry so much. God bless you all in this time of sorrow. The angels are singing, well done, good and faithful servant!
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