Former Chester resident always finds his way home
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[For Russell Nance the annual trip home to Chester is always one that he looks forward to. Nance was born and raised in Chester and attended Chester schools. Nance who left for the service before the end of his high school career has called Tacoma, Washington his home for over 50 years.
Nance left high school to join the military in 1952, the year he was scheduled to graduate.
"I signed up for the military before leaving high school and I was activated on February 15, 1952," said Nance.
He fought in the Korean War as a part of the Army's D Company, 135th Engineer Combat Battalion, 44th Infantry Division of the Illinois National?Guard. He served in that capacity for twenty-two months. His brother Forrest also served in the Korean War, but lost his life in the line of duty.
"I remember my commanding officer approached me one day. He told me he had discharge papers for me. He also told me that my mother had written to the Army requesting they release me because my brother had died while serving our county and she did not want to lose another son to the war. I declined and continued to serve," said Nance. "I completed my tour and upon release came back to Chester."
One of the first places Nance went was to see the school's superintendent.
"I wanted to talk to him about receiving my high school diploma. When I was activated for the war, I was 2 ½ credits short of receiving my diploma." said Nance. "He was very understanding, asked for my mailing address, and then mailed my diploma to me. It was very special to me to have that diploma because I knew how important it was when it came time to get a job."
With his diploma in hand Nance set out for work finding employment with the International Shoe Company in Chester. He landed the job but unfortunately only worked one day on the job.
"The union had a strike and next thing I knew I was out of a job," said Nance. "The economy was down and there were no jobs in Chester at that time. We were citizens and we tried the best we could."
Nance felt it was his only choice to head back out west where he was previously stationed in Washington State.
Once in Washington, Nance settled in Tacoma and started work at the Armor Meat Packing Company. While working there he noticed an ad in the local newspaper for a firefighter.
"I told myself 'I think I will take the exam'," said Nance. "I beat men who were college graduates and placed first on the exam."
Nance went on to serve the department for 21 years. He worked his way up through the ranks. First he took the Lt. test again placing first in the testing process. He then took and placed second in the Captain exam and, finally reaching the number one position, he passed the exam for Battalion Chief.
Upon retiring 33 years ago from the fire department, Nance would often visit the fire department, even taking charge as a training officer for three years. He said he would always tell young prospects the three letter word "try."
On his annual trips home to Chester Nance always makes it a point to visit the memorial that bears his brother's name at the Gazebo Park. Fighting back tears Nance spoke about his brother and how much he misses him every day. Nance has three sisters, Esther Hartman and Oma Phelps of Chester and Omega Reeder of Rockwood, whom he visits as well.
"I look around and try to identify people that I knew when I use to live here," said Nance. "Chester has changed, there were a lot more businesses back then. Now there seems to be a lot of empty buildings. The schools seem more formal too."
Nance has remained good friends with the men from Chester who he served with in the war. Ray Dettmer is one of those men. Ray organizes get-togethers for the men that served with him and Nance in the National Guard.
"I always look forward to returning home," said Nance. "I'm proud to call Chester my hometown."