STROKE SUSTAINED IN CHURCH FATAL FOR OLD SOLDIER

Charles C. Chastain died last night about 8:30, his death being very sudden and unexpected.

Mr. Chastain was stricken while attending the Christmas exercises at the Epworth M. E. Church. He was sitting well toward the front in a chair in the aisle, and when stricken threw one arm to the rear of his chair. Mr. Chastain was sitting immediately behind him. She and others in the immediate vicinity saw that his condition was serious, and Walter C. Westcot and Arch Hefley hastened to his side and carried him to the vestibule of the church and with the assistance of others carried him thence to the parsonage near the church where he died in a very short time, about 8:30. A physician was hastily summoned following his sickness but he was unable to reach his side before he died.

Short funeral services will be held at the family home 209 South Sixth street Wednesday morning at 8:30, conducted by the Rev. W. J. Lamp, pastor of the Epworth Church. The body will then be taken to Hopewell Church, where services will be held, conducted by the Rev. Lewis Jones and the Rev. W. J. Lamp and burial will follow at Hopewell Cemetery.

Charles C. Chastain was born in Jefferson county and he was the son of the late William H. and Elizabeth Chastain. Practically his entire life was spent in Jefferson county, and most of in in Mt. Vernon township.

Mr. Chastain was 81 years old the 14th of the present month.

April 3, 1862, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Bates, who with six children, survive him.

The children are George E. Chastain, Mt. Vernon; Mrs. Cora Rogers, Shiloh township; Mrs. Viola Borden, Mt. Vernon; Mrs. Emma Kendel, Council Grove, Kan.; Mrs. Clara Maddox, Woodlawn; Mrs. Angie Smith, Marion county, Ill. One brother, Wm. H. Chastain, lives in Salina, Kansas.

Mr. Chastain was a veteran of the Civil War, and enlisted in Mt. Vernon. He served almost three years, lacking but two months. He was a member of Co. E. 80th Illinois.

Mr. Chastain was a member of Coleman Post G. A. R. and attended the meetings of the Post whenever it was possible for him to do so.

He was long a member of the Methodist church, having united with that denomination in 1862. Before coming to Mt. Vernon he held membership in Hopewell Church.

Mr. Chastain engaged in farming until he retired several years ago, and located in this city. He had been in poor health some years, and especially the last year and had suffered a number of sudden and severe attacks of illness.

When he lived in the country, Mr. Chastain served at times as a commissioner of highways of Mt. Vernon township.

Mr. Chastain was of a friendly disposition but quite and unostentatious in his manner. He was not given to display of show, but his friends and all who had business or other dealings with him, recognized him as a man of sterling integrity, a good citizen, a useful member of society, and ever firm in his espousal of right and justice.

All who knew Mr. Chastain ever held him in the highest respect.

Source:
Date: December 26, 1920
Submitted by: Ken Richardson