Caleb "Jeff" Jefferson Chastain

Caleb "Jeff" Jefferson Chastain, 77, of Munster, IN, went peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior in the early morning hours on Sunday, December 29, 2019 at his home.

Jeff is survived by his devoted and loving wife Margaret (nee Koepp) of 55 years. They met on Friday the 13th in April, 1963 and have been together ever since! Together they raised four wonderful children, Lynette (Don) Zienty, Cheryl (Bruce) Valent, Lisa Chastain, and Craig Chastain whom they cherished.

He was extremely fond of his 15 grandchildren, Adam, Ashlyn (Nathan Walpole), Abigail, Autumn, Benjamin, and Blake Zienty, Kyle and Caleb Valent, Mason, Sara, and Samuel Chronowski, Liberty and Isaac Bonin, Hannah Morris, and Hollyn Chastain. He adored his four great-grandchildren, Olissa, Paisley, Adelyn, and Fletcher. 

Jeff, the oldest brother of seven, born in Vonore, TN, to Claude W. and Grace N. (Thomas) Chastain, leaves behind three brothers, Don (Yvonne), Claude Jr. and Joe, all of Tennessee. Late siblings Dib, Ruby, and Jack. 

In addition, he leaves behind one sister-in-law, Barbara (late Dan) Barham, and two brothers-in-law, Bill (Marcia) Koepp and Don (Diane) Koepp.

He will be loved and missed greatly by many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and special friends Bill and Judy Hein.

Jeff enlisted in 1959 out of high school and proudly served as sergeant in the United States Army. After serving his country, he chose design drafting as a profession. He was a loyal member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Munster. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus MSGR Weis Counsel #10596 where he formerly served as Grand Knight.

He loved golfing, playing cards, and fishing at "the lake" with Margi. He loved telling jokes and making people laugh. He especially enjoyed showing his grandkids card tricks and teaching them the secrets.

Jeff will be remembered for his great sense of humor, his compassion, and his kind and loving soul. Margi always said,  "He was one of a kind."

Margi and his family would like to thank the team members at Hospice of the Calumet Area for their compassionate care in Jeff's time of need.

Special thanks and love to Father Mike at St. Tom's for always being there. Our experience with Hillside Funeral Home & Cremation Center was so professional, friendly, comforting, and caring.

A Funeral Mass and Memorial Service will be celebrated at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations preferred to Autism Speaks www.autismspeaks.org or Hospice of the Calumet Area.

For additional information, please contact Hillside Funeral Home & Cremation Center Konnie Kuiper-Kevin Nordyke by calling us at 219-838-0800 or visiting us at www.hillsidefhcares.com

"And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
The snare of the fowler will never capture you,
And famine will bring you no fear;
Under His Wings your refuge,
His faithfulness your shield.

And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
You need not fear the terror of the night,
Nor the arrow that flies by day,
Though thousands fall about you,
Near you it shall not come.

And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
For to His angels He's given a command,
To guard you in all of your ways,
Upon their hands they will bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
And hold you in the palm of His Hand."

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