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Murvin Elmo ChastainPassing: January 3, 2014

Service:

Chastain Funeral Home

Friday, January 10th @ 10:30 am

Visitation:

Chastain Funeral Home

Thursday, January 9th @ 3:00-7:00 pm

Friday, January 10th @ 9:30-10:30 am

Cemetery:

Freedom Cemetery

Friday, January 10th

MITCHELL – M. Elmo Chastain, 82, passed away at 5:15 p.m. Friday, January 3, 2014, at Mitchell Manor Living and Rehabilitation Center.

Elmo was born to Grant and Opal (Stephenson) Chastain in Washington County, Indiana, on January 18, 1931. He married Mildred Anne Wade on December 25, 1950, with his grandfather officiating.

He is survived by Mildred and four children, Michael (Anne) Chastain, Connie (Larry) Smith, Teresa Chastain and Darrin (Kim) Chastain, along with five grandchildren, Ashley Chastain, Jordan Chastain, Amy (Nate) Hendershott, Ryan (Paloma) Chastain, Jacob (Katie) Smith, and two great grandchildren. Elmo is survived by sisters, Peggy Knapp and Judy Lanman along with brothers, Leonard, Jim, and Melvin. A sister, Lois Denton, and brother, Dewayne Chastain, preceded him in death.

He was educated in Washington County schools and graduated from Campbellsburg High School in 1949. Elmo served in the Marine Corps in 1952 and was trained at Camp Pendleton, Fort Knox, Fort Benning, and Camp LeJeune before being deployed to Japan in 1953. Elmo returned to farming after the Marines, living on his father-in-law’s farm, helping farm as well as doing carpentry work for his uncle. Elmo and Mildred purchased a farm in southeastern Lawrence County in 1957 and remained there for 56 years. The farming operation mainly involved raising corn, soybeans, hogs, and cattle.

Elmo’s faith in Jesus Christ was evident throughout his adult years. He was a faithful member of the Fishing Creek Chapel congregation, attending over 50 years while serving most of that time as a deacon and then as an elder. His church family was truly his extended family as evidenced through the care, concern and visitations of Fishing Creek members in his final months. He worked as a Soil Conservation official and also served as a Federal Land Bank board member for many years. Elmo was a member of the Cecil C. Martin Post 250 of the American Legion. During his middle years, he was a weekly bowling team member on a local team that provided a nice outlet from farming and other life work.

Besides love of family, farming was his life’s work and passion. He was always reading and learning the new ideas for best current practices to incorporate into his farming plan. He had significant ability to manufacture items needed for machinery repair and update. Serious health concerns around age 55 changed his interest in farming, his purpose in pursuing that lifestyle and the physical strength needed to farm the way he desired. He continued farming at a reduced level with son Darrin assisting the operation for many years before stopping completely a decade ago. After sickness and weakness prevented Elmo from staying at home, care was provided at Mitchell Manor since February, 2013.

The service of worship celebrating Elmo’s life will take place at 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 10, in the Memorial Chapel of Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center with Brother Yancy Unger officiating. Burial will be in Freedom Cemetery off State Highway 60 East near Carter’s Creek Christian Church with military honors accorded by American Legion Post No. 250 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No.9107.

Friends may call from 3:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday and from 9:30 a.m. until the service on Friday at the funeral home.

Memorial Gifts: Fishing Creek Chapel

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14 Guest Comments

  1. Guest: Danny & Cheryl Backherms | Salem, IN
    Date: January 9, 2014
    Dear Mildred and family, We are sorry to hear of Elmo's passing. We have such fond memories of time spent with the two of you. Elmo always had a smile and his dedication to his family and farming was a gift. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Danny & Cheryl Backherms
  2. Guest: Dennis & Tracy Myers | GulfShores, Alabama
    Date: January 9, 2014
    Dear Darrin Kim and Connie sorry to hear of your dads passing he was a great man a pleasure to be around i bought hay from him i poured concrete for him and just shot the bull and allways there was a big smile on his face never a harsh word for anyone if the world today had a lot more like him it would be a better place to live thanks for the memories may god bring you comfort in your time of loss Dennis and Tracy Myers Leon Myers sorry we couldnt be there
  3. Guest: Jack & Sandy Knapp | Salem, IN
    Date: January 8, 2014
    I know Elmo will be missed by his family and friends but remember all the good times with such a nice Christian man. He is now walking on the streets of gold with his heavenly father and someday we will hopefully be walking with him.
  4. Guest: JAYNELL SIMMONS | springville, indiana
    Date: January 8, 2014
    TO CONNIE SMITH, I'M VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, JAYNELL SIMMONS
  5. Guest: Pat Rasnic | Indianapolis, IN
    Date: January 7, 2014
    I have so many memories of attending church with your family, and of the times we spent at the farm. Elmo was a great man, and I am sure he is being welcomed into heaven by all of the neighbors and friends who have gone on before.
  6. Guest: Melanie Deckard | Heltonville, Indiana
    Date: January 7, 2014
    Connie I am so sorry to hear about your dad, I know how much you loved him by how you talked about him. I don't think it matters how old we get we are always daddy's little girl. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
  7. Guest: Kim Williams | Odon, IN
    Date: January 7, 2014
    Teresa: May God give you peace and comfort during this time of loss. My heart goes out to you. I will be praying for you and your family. Take care. Love, Kim
  8. Guest: Max and Donna Timbrook | SaltSprings, FL
    Date: January 7, 2014
    Mildred and family: Your lives of faith in Jesus Christ has taken on a new sense of the hope we have in Him. You have blessed us with a quality of faith, hope and love that radiates from Christ's closest followers. We rejoice in that hope with you. This is a 'heads-up' ... the best is yet to come! Love to all.
  9. Guest: Marsha &Greg Ralston | Bedford, IN
    Date: January 7, 2014
    I enjoyed the years I got to work with Elmo while he was a SWCD Supervisor. Always a kind man who also cared about conservation on the ground! RIP dear friend!
  10. Guest: Darrell and Carmen Dyer | LoogooteeIndiana
    Date: January 6, 2014
    Connie, So very sorry for your loss, our thoughts and prayers for you and all you family.
  11. Guest: Kevin Osborne | Mitchell, IN
    Date: January 6, 2014
    Darrin, so sorry for your loss.heaven has gained a new angel.god bless
  12. Guest: Roy D Myers | RichfieldUT
    Date: January 6, 2014
    Darrin and Kim, Thanks so much for spreading the Christlike love that was instilled by your great father. I don't think I've known anyone that is a better Christian than him. My deepest love goes out to your family during this time. Friends forever, Roy Myers
  13. Guest: Kathy and Paul Stroud | Mitchell, IN.47446
    Date: January 5, 2014
    Our thoughts and prayers are with the families...God Bless!
  14. Guest: Margo Tucker | Loogootee, IN
    Date: January 5, 2014
    My deepest sympathies and prayers for the family. May God give you strength in His love during the sad time.