Chester Ernest Morlock
1941 - 2013
Mr. Chester Ernest Morlock of Stettler, passed away in Camrose on December 24, 2013 at the age of 72 years. Chester was born in Hanna, Alberta the eldest son of Henry and Lydia Morlock of Delia who were farmers in that area. In 1944, the family moved to a farm five miles north of Byemoor. At the age of five years, Chester fell from a horse and sustained a severe head injury that changes his life in many ways. He excelled in School, especially math. He could add, subtract, multiply and divide just a s fast as a calculator! Chester became a member of the Byemoor 4-H Field Crops Club and received several medals and ribbons for grain plots, gate sign and grain samples. He had to start farming at an early age as Dad was often sick so a lot of the farming duties fell on Chester and his mother Lydia. In grade ten, Chester had to quit school to work full time as Dad could no longer work. Chester was always interested in machines and how they worked. He took a farmers welding course and would go on to fix machinery for many of the farmers around the area. He was always making something, whether it was a book table, a lamp stand, a wagon wheel or a gate. His greatest gift and talent was his love of piano music. He played with Walter Dodds orchestra in the Farrell Lake area and even went to Drumheller with Walter and the boys to play over CK91 radio station! Chester joined the Elks Club of Endmoor and always held the piano player position as well as other duties. He also loved hunting time in the fall. He would set up hunting days for hunters from Calgary or where ever. It was handy as our land was just beside Cutbank Lake and there was always lots of ducks and geese to keep off the crops. Chester also enjoyed curling and would often have to juggle chores and curling games. We had many sing-alongs on our old house. All the neighbors would come over. Chester played the piano, Jerry Hall the guitar, Della (McPhee) Jones played the accordion and the rest of us sang our hearts out. That was a time of great joy and will never be forgotten. As time went on our Dad passed away. Chester worked the farm with mom until his health started to deteriorate. In 1979, he sold his machinery, rented out the land and moved to Stettler to a little white house in the east side of town. He lived there until September of 1982. Chester did odd jobs around Stettler. He set up machinery, did carpentry work, did farm work and chores for farmers who went on holidays. He also played piano for various group musicians in the Stettler area. He was playing at a wedding dance with Terry Rushton’s Band the night he suffered a severe brain aneurism. He remained in a coma for seven weeks. When he awoke, he had to learn to walk again and retain thought processes and words, but he never forgot how to play the piano. It was a difficult journey, but he always had a strong will and a fighting spirit. Chester moved into Heart Haven Lodge in 1983 and had lived there for 26 years. He was their "Piano Man" and kept the hearts of many seniors aglow and their toes tapping to all of the snappy old tunes. The kitchen girls could often be seen dancing and singing as they cleaned the tables after supper as they kept time to Chester's music. Chester has brought so much joy to others with his gift of music, and we are so proud of his accomplishments. Chester will be deeply missed by his loving mother Lydia Morlock, sisters; Louise Desjarlais and Penny (Tom) Mottus and by his brother Jack (Darilyn) Morlock. He is also survived by fourteen nieces and nephews; 9 great nieces and nephews, many other relatives and so many dear friends. A funeral service was held at the Brennen Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at 2:00 P.M. with the Rev. Karl Faltin of the St. Peter Lutheran Church officiating. As an expression of sympathy and in loving memory of Chester, memorial contributions may be made to the Heritage House Residents Fund or to the Heart Haven Lodge Residents Fund in care of Brennen Funeral Home and Cremation Services P.O. Box 193 Stettler, Alberta TOC 2LO who have been entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements. 403.742.3315.
Condolences can be forwarded to the family by visiting our website at www.brennenfuneralhome.com.