CHESTER J. “CHET” BOELKINS, 91, formerly of Fulton, IL, died Saturday, September 5, 2020, at Prairie Hills at Clinton in Clinton, IA. Cremation rites have been accorded and a private family graveside service will be held at a later date at Fulton Township Cemetery in Fulton, IL. A memorial to Genesis Hospice has been established. The Fulton Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home is assisting the family. Chet was born April 12, 1929, in rural Whiteside County, IL, to Bernie and Gertrude (Buikema) Boelkins. He was educated in the rural Whiteside County schools. Chet married Marian E. Reedy on August 25, 1949, in Albany, IL. She died May 15, 2015. Chet was first employed as an equipment tester at John Deere. Then he worked at Ametek as a maintenance man. Most recently, Chet worked as a machine operator at Drives in Fulton, IL and also worked in maintenance for Cargill in Fulton. He enjoyed traveling to Arizona during the winter with his wife Marian. He loved to go camping, boating, and fishing. Survivors include three daughters, Sue (Richard) Gossard of Fulton; Mrs. Diane Milligan of Garden Plain, IL, and Mary (Jim) Ottens of Fulton; one son, Terry Boelkins of Fulton; seven grandchildren, Amy (Luke) Littrel, Jason Milligan, Jammie (Troy) Richert, Aaron Milligan, Heather (Matt) Powell, Lynn Boelkins, and Brandy Boelkins; many great and great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marian; two sons, Rodney Boelkins and James Boelkins in infancy; two brothers, Bernard and Robert Boelkins.