UPDATE – Due to weather the funeral service for Eva Stultz will be at 2 pm on Friday in the Elmwood Chapel of the Day & Carter Mortuary. Visitation will be from 10 am to 2 pm on Friday.
M. Elmo Chastain – Mitchell
M. Elmo Chastain, 82, of Mitchell 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 p.m. to 7 pm. Thursday and from 9:30 a.m. until the service on Friday at the funeral home.
Memorial Gifts: Fishing Creek Chapel
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.chastainfuneralhome.com
