Dayton K. Chase's Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Dr. Dayton Keith Chase, age 84 of Charleston, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, July 22, 2014, while at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center. Visitation for family and friends will be held Friday, July 25, 2014, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. Memorial Services honoring and celebrating his life will be held at the funeral chapel at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2014, with Reverend Dr. Bob Swickard officiating. Inurnment with Military Rites conducted by the Honor Guard of the Charleston VFW Paul McVey Post 1592 will follow at Roselawn Cemetery in Charleston. It is requested that thoughtful donations in his honor be made to the Wesley United Methodist Church or the Civil War Trust. Gifts may be left on the memorial table at the visitation or service or may be mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920. Dayton was born on August 22, 1929, in Fairmont, Minnesota, and was the son of the late Harry W. and Vera G. (Schwinger) Chase. He married Joyce Runion on May 31, 1959, in Corwith, Iowa, and they have lovingly shared in 55 years of marriage and friendship. In addition to Joyce, he is survived by their two children, a daughter, Cindy McConachie and husband Mike of Murphy, Texas, and a son, Doug Chase of Westfield, Indiana; and two grandchildren, Amy Harper and husband Kevin of Plano, Texas, and David McConachie of Murphy. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sister, Lavon Freitag. Dayton faithfully served his country as a United States Army Veteran of the Korean War. Following his military service he resumed his schooling at Mankato State University and completed his Bachelor of Science degree in 1955. He later achieved his Master of Arts degree from Colorado State University and was awarded his Doctor of Education in 1965 from the University of North Dakota. Dayton was a teacher at various high schools in Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois before accepting a position with Eastern Illinois University as a Professor in their School of Business. Dr. Chase enjoyed a 25 year tenure with E.I.U. during which time he served as sponsor of Pi Omega Pi and Delta Pi Epsilon, served on various committees, and was a member of the Illinois Business Education Association and the E.I.U. Annuitants Association. One of the highlights of his teaching career began in the fall of 1986 when he and Joyce taught at Northwestern Polytechnical University located in Xi'an, China. Dr. Chase retired from teaching in 1989. Dayton was a faithful member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Charleston. He truly loved living on acreage and Joyce will tell you that it was his green thumb that brought about their beautiful landscaping and flower gardens. Dayton was most comfortable in the saddle as an avid horseman who thoroughly enjoyed trail riding. He was considered to be a "Civil War Buff" as that period of history remained of great interest to him - he was actively involved with the Civil War Trust and their work in preserving the nation's Civil War battlefields. Following retirement he and Joyce enjoyed spending their winters in Mission, Texas, but it was not all rest and relaxation. Dayton helped to raise funds and traveled to Mexico to build homes for the homeless and destitute which was a prime example of his generosity and desire to help others. Dayton will always be remembered as a devoted husband, father and grandfather who loved his family dearly, a dedicated educator, and a faithful friend to many.Click to view Dayton's memorial video.
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