Frank Marvin Chelar

Frank Marvin Chelar, age 87, of Albia, passed away Saturday, June 11, 2011 at the Crystal Heights Care Center in Oskaloosa. Frank was born May 14, 1924 to Mathew and Nellie (Miller) Chelar. Frank was destined to be a "big" man as he weighed in at a healthy 12 pounds. He was the 3rd born of 4 children. Frank walked to school at Miller Country School. He graduated from Hiteman High School in 1942. Frank did not attend school very much his senior year as his father was severely injured in a coal mining accident. Professor John Agans, Hiteman Superintendant, told him to come when he could and he would see to it that he graduated. Frank met and married Dortha Jane Kenton on January 14, 1951. They celebrated 60 years of marriage this past winter. Frank and Dortha have 3 children, Elaine Chelar (deceased), Doris Little of Albia, and Gale "Ray" (Ursula) Chelar of Columbus, Georgia; 3 grandchildren, Jeremy (Kathy) Little of Edgerton, Kansas, Dan (Vanessa) Little of Prior Lake, Minnesota; and Jennifer Little of Albia; and 3 great-grandchildren, Julia, Aidan, and Lenora. Frank "always" was a farmer. He farmed with his father, then after he and Dortha married they continued to run the family farm. Frank and Dortha established a dairy farm; raised hogs, chickens, and beef cattle; and had row crops. Sundays were the only day off except for milking, church, and an afternoon nap. Frank would start his custom corn chopping in the fall just after school started. Dortha and the kids would have the sows out, dairy cows fed, and the milking ready when he got home. He was late coming home one night. He didn't get done with the chopping for a man near Melrose, so he borrowed the farmer's pickup. Dortha saw it full of beer cans and told him, "Now I know why you were late!" Frank didn't drink or smoke. Many times the farmers were glad to see him pull in with the silage equipment, and were glad to see him go as he only stopped for lunch and maybe a drink of milk or water in the afternoon. The wagons he used were homemade by Frank. He used them for years, not just for silage, but for ear corn and soy beans. Frank was a modern day blacksmith. You could find him in his shop working at the vice with a bucket of water to cool whatever he was welding and his welding hammer to pound it into shape he required. He was quite fond of his chainsaw, brush cutter, and cutting torch. Frank was a good neighbor, always ready to lend a hand if someone was sick or injured and there was work to be done. These deeds were remembered when he had blood clots after surgery and 14 men came to put up hay so there was feed for the dairy cows that winter. Frank was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Union Chapel Cemetery Association, Farm Bureau, and a member of Monroe County Agricultural Hall of Fame. He was also a past member of Mid American Dairymen. After Frank "retired" from farming, he drove a school bus, pulled fertilizer for Farm Service and was a meter reader for R.E.C. Frank is survived by his wife, Dortha; a daughter, Doris; and a son Ray; 3 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren; 1 sister, Ruth Rasko of Indianola; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mathew and Nellie Chelar; a sister, Ethel Ford; a brother, Raymond Chelar; and a daughter, Elaine Chelar.

Frank Marvin Chelar

May 14, 1924 - June 11, 2011