White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Arlene M. “Susie” Chesmore, 83 years old, of Independence, Iowa, died on Thursday, March 16, 2017, at her home. She was born on August 17, 1933, in Harrison Township of Adair County, Iowa, the daughter of Robert Lewis Johnston and Helen Marie (Harrison) Johnston. She graduated from high school in Greenfield, Iowa, with the Class of 1951 and then graduated from Capitol City Community College in Des Moines, Iowa. On February 14, 1954, she and Dale Eldon White were married in Winterset, Iowa. They later divorced. On December 26, 1989, she and Willis “Bill” Wayne Chesmore were married in Independence, Iowa. He preceded her in death in 2016.

Susie and her husband, Dale, moved their family to Independence in 1958 when they purchased what became the White Funeral Home. She was an active part of the business until her health began declining. She was a founding member of the Board of Directors of Hospice of Buchanan County. She was formerly a member and past president of B.P.W. and the Peoples Hospital Auxiliary. She was a former member of the Independence Merry Mixers Square Dance Club and the Wapsipinicon Golf Club. Susie was also a committee member of Buchanan County Cancer Society Relay for Life. In retirement she enjoyed traveling in her motor home and wintering in Texas. She also enjoyed college sports on TV and radio.

Susie is survived by 2 sons, Mark White of Independence, Iowa, and John (Cindy) White of Jesup, Iowa, 1 daughter, Mary (Dewey) Eyerly of Lorimor, Iowa, 4 grandchildren, Joanne (Nathan) McKone of Jackson, Wisconsin, Brian (Jackie) White of Independence, Iowa, Haley (Travis) Powell of Norwalk, Iowa, Danielle Eyerly of Winterset, Iowa, and 2 great-granddaughters, Natalie White and Kayla White. She is also survived by 1 step son, Marshal “Chip” (Carol) Chesmore of Sherrard, Illinois, 3 step daughters, Debra (Jerry) Holt and LaVelle (Marvin) Hillman, both of Winthrop, Iowa, and Beckie (Dewey) Petersen of Ely, Iowa, many step grandchildren, step great grandchildren, and step great great grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, Bill, she was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 20, 2017, at the First United Methodist Church in Independence, Iowa, with Dr. Scott Meador and Dr. David A. Larson officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence, Iowa. Friends may call for visitation anytime after 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 18^th, or after 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 19^th, at the White Funeral Home in Independence, Iowa.