James A Chatt Obit d 01/26/14 Hoopeston IL: unc of Donna Glascock IN
January 28, 2014
James Allen Chatt
The Commercial-News
OAKWOOD — James Allen Chatt, 91, of Oakwood, passed away on Jan. 26, 2014, at Heritage Health Care Center in Hoopeston.
He was born on Feb. 16, 1922, in Veedersburg, Ind., the son of Thomas James and Mabel (Ramsey) Chatt. He married Anita Jane Shroyer on Aug. 31, 1952. She survives.
He will be deeply missed by his wife, Anita; daughter, Melinda (Mark) Garfield of Oakwood; son, Jim (Pat) Chatt of Mesquite, Texas; sister Lyle Chatt of Hillsboro, Ind.; and brother Rod (Cecille) Chatt of North Hills, Calif.; brother-in-law, Jon (Barb) Shroyer of Tucson, Ariz.; grandchildren, Timothy Pruitt of Oakwood, Allen Chatt of Washington, D.C., and Helen Chatt of Greensboro, N.C., Marissa (Chris) Yocius of Danville and Michael (Rebecca) Garfield of Kiln, Miss.; nieces, Donna (Louis) Glascock of Sullivan, Ind., Nita Kay Hughes of Liverpool, Ill., Kathy Sue (John) McCance of Cuba, Ill.; nephews, Steve Keene of Jacksonville, Ill., Robert (Barb) Keene of Astoria, Ill., and Dick (Marsha) Keene of Macomb; Allen (Maureen) Shroyer of Milpitas, Calif., and Thomas (George) Chatt and Andrew Chatt of the Los Angeles area; and numerous great-grandchildren, great-nieces and great-nephews.
James was preceded in death by sisters Mary Harmless, Sara Johns and Thelma Higgins; and brothers Lawrence, Ronald and John Chatt.
Jim graduated from Veedersburg High School and joined the Army at the start of World War II in the artillery. Along the way, he picked up an appreciation of mules and cooking for an army. Out of the military, he worked as an agent for the Peoria & Eastern Railway. He was a longtime teacher, guidance counselor and administrator, starting in Veedersburg, Ind., overseas in Agana, Guam, in Jamaica, Ill., and ending his career as the superintendent of Rankin schools.
He was a lifelong learner, attending Indiana University and graduating from Purdue University with a degree in agriculture and a master’s degree in education from Indiana State University and numerous teaching certifications at the University of Texas, Florida State University, Eastern Illinois University, University of Wyoming and Bradley University.
Jim was a 32nd degree Mason and member of Lodge 385 in Hillsboro, Ind., the Aloha Shrine Temple in Honolulu and the Order of the Eastern Star. He was a lifetime member of the National Education Association and Vermilion County Principals Association.
In retirement, Jim and Anita traveled around the U.S. to Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, Washington and New England. Jim was a 50-year member of the Oakwood Christian Church, serving as an elder and board member.
The family wishes to extend thanks to the staff of Heritage Health Hoopeston and Iroquois Memorial Hospice.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31, at Oakwood Christian Church, 206 Scott St., Oakwood, with Pastor Dave Birch officiating. A visitation will be held from 1-3 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will take place at a later date. Memorials can be made in Jim’s name to the Oakwood Christian Church. Please join Jim’s family in sharing photos, videos and memories of him through his Tribute Wall at:
http://www.sunsetfuneralhome.comhttp://www.sunsetfuneralhome.com
Illinois ILIndiana IN