Funeral services for Chesley Fredrick Hibbard, 77, of Albert Lea will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. John Holt will officiate. Military honors will be accorded by area veteran’s organizations. Interment will be at a later date. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Chesley died Friday, Jan. 23, 2009 at St. John’s Lutheran Home.
Chesley Fredrick Hibbard was born on Nov. 13, 1931 to Edwin and Bertha Hibbard in Glenwood. He grew up and attended school in Alexandria. After graduation, Chesley joined the U.S. Marines. He served in the Korean War where he was wounded twice. He then did parade duty in Washington, D.C., for the Marines until his honorable discharge as sergeant. Chesley was united in marriage to Ila Dahlstrom on Nov. 21, 1954 at the First Lutheran Church in Alexandria. After Chesley’s discharge he attended the Minnesota School of Business and the University of Minnesota in the ’60s. The couple then moved to Albert Lea where Chesley was employed as the general manager of Continental Castings. In 1972, Chesley purchased Albert Lea Electroplating Co. During the ’70s he served as the President of the Sunset Saddle Club. Chesley retired in 1992. He was a member of First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea, American Legion, Audubon Society and the Albert Lea Elks Club. Chesley helped out everyone he could. He was an avid outdoorsman. Chesley felt the meaning of family was very important.
Survivors include his wife, Ila; children, Mike, wife Denise Hibbard, and their children Erin, Ian and Ryan, Jon Hibbard and his children Kalsey and Laura, Jay, wife Jolene Hibbard and their children, Lynsey and Kayla Jorgenson-Hibbard.
Chesley was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Bertha; sisters, Jean Johnson, Beth Barthelemy and Virginia Johnson.
Memorials are preferred to the Audubon Society or the Albert Lea High School Marching Band.