Richard L. “Dick” Chastain departed this earth suddenly and unexpectedly, along with his wife, Marilyn Fox, on Saturday morning, Aug 5, 2023. It was the day after his 90th birthday, and friends and family were planning to celebrate with him later that afternoon. Dick’s partner of the past 11 years, Marilyn, was from Winimac, Indiana. They married on June 7, 2023. He and Marilyn were best friends, and constant companions, for the last years of their lives.
Dick was an amazing, and multi-faceted man. He spent his life leading and serving others but remained humble and unassuming — despite amassing countless honors and awards. He loved people and enjoyed getting to know them; mentoring and helping them find their own strengths. After he got to know you, he would always remember where you were from, and what year you graduated from high school.
Dick was a dedicated family man, a lifelong farmer, a decorated soldier, an elder and leader in his church, and a committed civil servant to his community. He will be missed by all who knew him, but most especially by his family, who are left without their rudder.
Dick was born in Salem, Indiana, on Aug. 4, 1933, to Ernest G. and Leo I. Chastain (Stephenson). He graduated from Campbellsburg High School, and then Purdue University, with a degree in Ag Education. Dick was in ROTC at Purdue and was commissioned a second Lieutenant upon graduation in 1956.
He married the love of his life, B. Marlene Cowan, on June 12, 1956; they were married for more than 54 years, when she died in 2011. Dick and Marlene had four children, who all survive, Cindy Chastain (husband Pete McCormick) of Crawfordsville, David Chastain of Bloomington, Jeff Chastain (wife Kathy) of Crawfordsville and Laura Smith (husband Lester) of Crawfordsville.
Dick’s military career began in 1956 after graduation and commissioning from Purdue. He served as a field artillery officer in Germany until November 1960 when he, Marlene and children moved home to her family farm north of Crawfordsville to raise their family. Marlene taught school at North Montgomery schools and Dick began farming with his father-in-law.
He went on to the join the Indiana National Guard and commanded units in ascending order as he rose in rank: Battery Commander, 3-139FA; Battalion Commander, 3-139 FA; Commander, 38th DIVARTY; Assistant Division Commander; and lastly as Major General Richard Chastain, Division Commander, 38th Infantry Division. Dick retired from the Indiana National Guard in 1991 with more than 36 years of service.
After his military retirement, Dick began serving his community on the Montgomery County Council. He sat on the council for 11 years, from 2007-2018, and for five of those years, he served as president or vice president. He was also very involved in his church, Liberty Chapel, serving on the board and committees for many years.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Marlene; his brother Donald Chastain; and his sister and brother-in-law, Kathleen and Lloyd Oldson.
He is survived by his children; six grandchildren, Chris Smith (wife Amy), Nathaniel Smith (wife Kayla), Jacob Smith (wife Katelyn), Marce’ Chastain, Hunter Chastain (wife Carleigh) and Clay Chastain (wife Acaimie); great-grandchildren, Vivian, Theodore and Rowan Smith and Morgan Chastain. He is also survived by sister Gloria, brother-in-law Jerry Rosenbaum and sister-in-law Jean Chastain; as well as many loved and cherished nieces and nephews and their families.
Visitation and funeral services are scheduled for Aug. 16 and 17 at the Crawfordsville National Guard Armory, 1405 S. Washington St., Crawfordsville. Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aug 16, and funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Aug. 17. Burial will follow at Oakland Cemetery in New Richmond, with full military honors. Attendees are asked to please park on the south side of the armory; overflow parking is available at the American Legion and the former Montgomery County Office building just west of the armory. Parking is extremely limited at the cemetery and buses will be available after the service to transport attendees to the cemetery and back to the armory.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Dick’s name to either Liberty Chapel Church or the Indiana National Guard Relief Fund (inguardrelief.org). Envelopes for both will be available at the armory.
Hunt & Son Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the family.
Memories and condolences may be shared at www.huntandson.com.
