Iris June Chestnut, 83, passed away peacefully at her home in Brighton, Colorado on January 12, 2021. She was born on June 25, 1937 in Glade, Kansas to James (Jim) and Opal (Sparks) Spicer. She was the first-born child followed by sister, Sandra (Bittel) and brother, Jay Spicer.
June attended school in Glade, Kansas. She was married to Tommy Chestnut, Jr. on July 9, 1954. Tom and June lived in Kansas until 1958 when they moved to Colorado. Tommy survives of the home in Brighton, CO. June was a loving mother to five children, Steve (Kara Sekavec), Kathy Hobaugh (Ed), Randy (Lisa), Rick (Debbie), and Kelly (Lisa Frandsen).
During June's lifetime she cared for her husband and five children while working different jobs when finally, in 1972, she and Tom started the family business, C & R Electrical Contractors, Incorporated. June worked at C & R as an owner, operator and bookkeeper until 2016. This family business still flourishes today under the ownership of sons Randy, Rick, and Kelly. Many family members have worked at C & R over the years including daughter Kathy (Hobaugh) and son Steve along with grandsons Erik and Ryan. This business has been the cornerstone of the family and a tremendous source of pride for June.
June's five children gave her eleven grandchildren, her pride and joy! Steve's children; Nick, Christina, and Jennifer. Kathy's children; Jackie and Thomas. Randy's children; James and Kelsey. Rick's child; Erik and Kelly's children Zach, Ryan, and Kayla. June has 7 great- grandchildren. Hudson, age 2, son of Scott and Christina Skiba. Andrew, age 19, Rosa, age 6, and Gabriel, age 4, children of Carlos and Jennifer Molina. Landon, age 10, and Tyler, age 8, sons of Jeremiah and Jackie Anderson. Vincent, 16 months, son of Scott Spalding and Kelsey Chestnut. Owen, age 3, son of Zach and Megan (Harris) Chestnut.
Throughout her life, June enjoyed gardening and canning her harvest. The pantry is full of various fruits, jellies, jams, butters, vegetables, sauces, juices and pickles. Most of which are requested and enjoyed at the many family gatherings that Tom and June delighted in hosting throughout the years.
She also loved sewing and was quite a seamstress. June sewed some clothing but spent most of her time on her sewing machine creating beautiful quilts for family members and special occasions. She created quilts for all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. More specifically, each grandchild received a personalized quilt upon graduation from high school. Her most recent sewing project was making masks, at a moment's notice, for family members and employees to wear during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Genealogy was another passion that consumed countless hours of June's time. She compiled an extensive genealogical history, including photos, for both the Chestnut and the Spicer sides of the family spanning many generations.
Traditional family gatherings included Thanksgiving, Mid-December Christmas tree decorating sleepovers with the grandchildren, and Christmas morning breakfast. June also organized the annual family reunion/Tom's birthday celebration picnic attended by Colorado and Kansas family members each summer. The biggest and favorite of those would be Thanksgiving due to the bountiful feast which featured June's famous mashed potatoes topped with homemade noodles and gravy, along with her most delicious and coveted homemade bread rolls. She always sent leftovers, which she planned for, home with her children and grandchildren.
Services are scheduled for 10:30 on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, 1115 2nd Street, Phillipsburg, Kansas 67661. The services will be streamed live on the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel Facebook page. Burial will follow at Marvin Cemetery in Glade, Kansas. Reception following at the Community Center in Speed, Kansas.
Mrs. Chestnut will lie in state from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel. The casket will remain closed.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association c/o Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel.