Carl Chism

Muncie, IN

On the evening of Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024, Carl Dean Chism, 61, passed peacefully into heaven with his wife by his side, concluding his courageous battle with cancer.

Carl was born in Muncie, Indiana on November 17th, 1962, to his loving parents, the late Dale and Penelope Kay Chism. The Chism brood included older brother, Roger, and older sisters, Marsha and Sandy. Carl was the youngest and fit the description of ‘baby brother’ to perfection. To hear his siblings joke, Carl’s shenanigans certainly kept them on their toes. Carl could often be found with a baseball bat and glove in his hands or fishing with his dad and brother. He was known for running the railroad tracks with his rowdy group of friends, pretending he was Grizzly Adams. Carl’s antics included playfully terrorizing his sisters and devising plans to catch them sneaking out their bedroom window. It was important to Dale and Kay that their children appreciated their Arkansas roots, and Carl enjoyed their road trips to family reunions. Carl attended Delta High School and as a teenager worked at a tomato canning factory in Eaton. After his graduation in 1981, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp.

Carl was employed at Borg Warner for many years, forming numerous friendships and eventually meeting his wife, Lechelle. Carl and Lechelle were married on August 31st, 1996, in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. As a couple, they enjoyed beach vacations, motorcycle rides, meeting friends at local bars and restaurants, and spending time with their families. Carl held the undisputed title of favorite, fun uncle, highlighted by competitive kickball, races in grandpa’s field, playing ‘horsie’ and ‘monster’, and endless rounds of Aggravation. Carl was the ultimate storyteller, leaving his nieces and nephews in awe and laughter of his wild days. Carl regularly frequented the Muncie YMCA and enjoyed weightlifting, while gaining many close friendships in his workout crew:  Sonnie, Eva, Erin, Lesley, Tonya, and Jasmine. Carl was a longtime recent employee of Magna Powertrain. Above all else, Carl was most recognizable and certainly happiest on the seat of his cherished Harley-Davidson. His love of the open road began as a gift from his father, who purchased his first bike. The peak of his motorcycle adventures was the accomplishment of traveling to 35 states alongside his best riding partner and brother, Roger.

Carl is survived by his wife of nearly 28 years, Lechelle; brother, Roger (Vicky) Chism; sister, Sandy (Jake) Johnson; brother-in-laws, Edward Dragoo and Kurt Kaderly; sister-in-laws, Lydia Underwood and Kelly Stella; nieces, Teaessa (Scott) Chism Okino, Jamie (Jason Nolley) Dragoo, and Tara Dragoo; nephew, Michael Lee Smith; great-nephews, Zach Carter, Damien Smith, and Chase Petrie; great-nieces, Kaylynn Nolley and Sierra Chism Okino; along with many cousins and close friends

Preceding Carl in death were his beloved parents, Dale and Kay Chism; sister, Marsha Dragoo; special family friend, Phil Buck; along with many cherished extended family members

As Carl’s nieces write his obituary, they would like to include on behalf of Carl’s family a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Siddiqui and the IUBMH Cancer Center and hospice staff.

Carl lived his life out loud, a vibrant example of fully embracing every moment and cherishing the time we are given. This is the legacy he leaves behind.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 29th, 2024, at 12 noon at Pitman-Richman Funeral Home, 200 S Hartford St, Eaton, Indiana. Burial with Military Funeral Honors by the Delaware County Veterans Honor Guard will follow in Black Cemetery in Albany, Indiana, where Carl will be laid to rest alongside his parents and sister.

Visiting hours are Sunday, April 28th, 2024, from 1pm – 4pm at the funeral home and 1 hour prior to funeral services on Monday.

In lieu of flowers and to honor Carl’s service to his country, memorial contributions can be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation. 

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