Obituaries

June 12, 1932 to August 5, 2023

WINAMAC - Marilyn D. Fox, 91, of Winamac, died along with her new husband, at his home in Crawfordsville, Saturday, Aug. 5, as the result of a house explosion.

She was born June 12, 1932 in Chicago, to the late Arnold A. and Ruth M. Johnson. She graduated from Monterey High School. She attended Purdue University and transferred to the University of Nevada Reno where she earned a bachelor’s degree. She went on to earn a master’s degree from Ball State University and later completed some higher-education courses at Indiana University.

While attending Purdue University, she married Jerome W. Friedrich of Kewanna. They were together 28 years and had three children. On March 16, 1990, she married Lloyd Fox of Monterey. Many great memories were made with the Fox family during their 19-year marriage. He died Sept. 22, 2009 and is buried at St. Anne’s Cemetery in Monterey. A few years after Lloyd’s death, Marilyn found companionship with Richard “Dick” Chastain (who just so happened to be the widower of her late Purdue roommate). They were recently married in June.

Marilyn Fox

Dick Chastain

She is survived by:
Rochelle Friedman, Appleton, WI, Daughter
Denise Hughes, Middleville, MI, Daughter
Steven Friedrich, Delafield, WI, Son
Michael Friedman, Grandson
Stephanie Friedman, Granddaughter
Sunshine (Jason) Fowler-Howell, Granddaughter
Tabitha Fowler, Granddaughter
Logan Friedrich, Grandson
Alexandra Friedrich, Granddaughter
Owen Handley, Great-Grandson
Emmett Handley, Great-Grandson
Ethan Handley, Great-Grandson
Numerous Extended Family Members

Preceded in death by:
Amy Johnson, Infant Sister
Liam Handley, Great-Grandson

Mrs. Fox dedicated her life to teaching. She taught at Kokomo and Haworth high schools for over 35 years. She was not only a teacher, but also a coach, mentoring girls in numerous sports including tennis, synchronized swimming, and cheerleading. During the summers, she served as the recreation director for 20 years for the Disciples of Christ Christian Assembly at Crystal Lake in Frankfort, MI. In addition to her successful career, she was an active member of various organizations, including Delta Kappa Gamma academic sorority and Indiana Retired Teachers Association. She was a 50-year member of Psi Iota Xi philanthropic sorority in Kokomo and also was a founding member of the Winamac chapter. She was a member of the Lion’s Club in Monterey, and the Mentone Flying Club in Rochester, as well as the Book Club and Iris-Elm Garden Club in Winamac. She was a member of First Christian Church in Winamac. The family reports Marilyn and Dick Chastain enjoyed traveling together, especially visiting family. They had a lovely life together. While their death was sudden and tragic, we know they were led Home by angels. Marilyn leaves behind a loving legacy and will be deeply missed by her family and everyone who knew her.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 19, at First Christian Church in Winamac with Pastor Stephen Sundquist officiating. Private burial will take place at St. Anne’s Cemetery in Monterey.

Memorial donations may be made to First Christian Church.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Richard L. Chastain

August 4, 1933 to August 5, 2023

CRAWFORDSVILLE - Richard L. (Dick) Chastain, 90, passed away suddenly, along with his wife, Marilyn Fox, Saturday, Aug 5. It was the day after his 90th birthday, and friends and family were planning to celebrate with him later that afternoon. His partner of the past 11 years, Marilyn, was from Winamac. They were married June 7.  He and Marilyn were best friends, and constant companions, for the last years of their lives.

He was born Aug. 4, 1933, in Salem, Ind., to Ernest G. and Leo I. (Stephenson) Chastain. He graduated from Campbellsburg High School, and then Purdue University, with a degree in agriculture education. He was in ROTC at Purdue and was commissioned a second Lieutenant upon graduation in 1956. He married B. Marlene Cowan, on June 12, 1956; they were married for more than 54 years, when she died in 2011. The couple had four children, who all survive, Cindy Chastain (husband Pete McCormick) of Crawfordsville, David Chastain of Bloomington, Jeff  (Kathy) Chastain) of Crawfordsville, and Laura (Lester) Smith, also of Crawfordsville.

He is also survived by his children, six grandchildren, Chris (Amy) Smith, Nathaniel (Kayla) Smith, Jacob (Katelyn) Smith, Marce’ Chastain, Hunter (Carleigh) Chastain, and Clay (Acaimie) Chastain; great-grandchildren, Vivian, Theodore, and Rowan Smith, and Morgan Chastain. He is also survived by his sister Gloria, and brother-in-law Jerry Rosenbaum; and his sister-in-law Jean Chastain; as well as many loved and cherished nieces and nephews and their families.

He 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.

Mr. Chastain 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. His 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. He began farming with his father-in-law. He went on to join the Indiana National Guard and commanded units in ascending order as he rose in rank. He retired from the National Guard in 1991 with more than 36 years of service. After his military retirement, he began serving his community on the Montgomery County Council for 11 years. He was also very involved in his church, Liberty Chapel, serving on the board and committees for many years.  

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug 16, at the Crawfordsville National Guard Armory. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 17, also at the Armory. Burial will follow at Oakland Cemetery, in New Richmond, Ind. with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Mr. Chastain’s name to either Liberty Chapel Church or the Indiana National Guard Relief Fund (Indiana National Guard Relief Fund (inguardrelief.org)).

Arrangements have been entrusted to Hunt & Son Funeral Home, Crawfordsville. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.huntandson.com