Richard D. Chaffee's Obituary
Richard D. Chaffee, age 86 of Morris, died Thursday, April 2, 2015 at Margaret Mary Health. Born December 10, 1928 in Otterbein, Indiana, he is the son of Ella (Nee: Metzinger) and Minor Chaffee. He married Patricia Volz November 27, 1958 at St. Anthony's Church in Morris. Dick served in the army during the Korean War. After the service he would teach 5th grade for the Batesville Community School Corporation 31 years before retiring in 1988. He was a member of St. Anthony's Church, Batesville V.F.W. Post #3183 and the Retired Teachers Association.
Dick had many talents and interests. He loved to fish with his buddies as well as rabbit and pheasant hunt. He was also a skilled woodworker and used his artistic abilities to create countless pieces for family and friends. An avid sports fan, he especially liked basketball. Dick also liked to tinker with lawn mowers. For years people have been bringing them to him so he could get them up and running again. Each year he would put out a huge garden and enjoyed working in his flower beds. According to the boys, dad had other talents as well. He could fix a BB gun so it would shoot around corners, could relieve the pressure of a blood blister on a toe with a hacksaw and apparently was an accomplished barber.............if you overlooked the scalped areas or bloodied ears.
Dick is survived by his wife Pat; sons and daughter-in-laws Kevin and Pam Chaffee of Batesville, Tim and Gerilyn Chaffee of St. Leon, Indiana, Jeff and Diane Chaffee of Morris, Kyle and Connie Chaffee of Batesville, Lindy Chaffee of Indianapolis; sisters Dodie LaBaw, Vera Martin, both of Lafayette, Indiana, Bonnie Coffman of Winchester, Indiana; brother Carl Chaffee of Shreveport, Louisiana; eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by sisters Lucille Froelich, Bernice Hanns, Harriet Fassnacht and brother LaVerne Chaffee.
Visitation is Monday, April 6th, from 4 - 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services are 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 7th at St. Anthony's Church with Rev. John Geis officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by the Batesville V.F.W. and the Prell-Bland American Legion. The family requests memorials to the Batesville V.F.W. or St. Anthony's Cemetery Fund.
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