Edward Charles Chilton

June 3, 1921 – October 12, 2010

Edward Charles Chilton, 89, of Jackson passed away Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010, at his home.

He was born June 3, 1921, in Des Arc, Mo., to Andrew and Annie Wellis Chilton. He and Carlene Carter were married Jan. 14, 1945, and were blessed with three children, Ronald, Wanda and Wade. Carlene preceded him in death March 14, 1963.

Edward married Maybelle Smith on Oct. 2, 1963, in St. Louis. They welcomed a daughter, Lisa, to the family. They moved to Jackson in 1967, where they lived happily married 47 years.

Edward worked as a brick contractor more than 50 years, first in St. Louis then in the Cape Girardeau area.

He was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in 1958. He was actively known for his love of the Bible and for sharing its kingdom message with many of his neighbors in the community. He was associated with the North Cape Girardeau Congregation.

He is survived by his loving wife, Maybelle, of Jackson; two daughters, Wanda June Niswonger of St. Louis and (died 2013) Lisa (Kenneth) Kelley of Jackson; two brothers, Paul (Diane) Chilton of St. Louis, Benjamin (Vanessa) Chilton of Farmington, Mo.; six sisters, Verna Miller of Baldwin, Mo., Edith Hillyer of Streator, Ill., Norma Jean Toney of Piedmont, Mo., Rose Mae (Billy Paul) Sutton of Bonne Terre, Mo., Betty Kottkamp and Linda (Homer) Lewis of Vulcan, Mo.

Also seven grandchildren, Shannon Niswonger of Lakeview, Mont., Schon and Shane Niswonger of Covington, La., Brittany Chilton of Springfield, Mo., Jonathan Chilton of Lakeland, Fla., Jacob Kelley and Samantha Kelley of Jackson; four great-grandchildren, Abigail Niswonger of Lakeview, Jacob, Dawson and Reese Niswonger of Covington.

He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Pearl; two sons, Ronald and Wade; five brothers, Carl, Fred, Nelson, Billy, and Donald; and three sisters, Minnie Amos, Avis Snyder and Ruth Higgens.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to service time Saturday at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 3075 County Road 620, Cape Girardeau.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Kingdom Hall. Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.