CHASTAIN, Isda Mae

The Record-Courier 3 Jan 2013 Ida Mae Chastain, 88, of Baker City passed away Dec. 30, 2012, one day after her 88th birthday at Meadowbrook Place. A visitation will be held Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Gray’s West. A funeral service will be held Friday, Jan. 4, 2013 at 10 a.m. at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, burial to follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Ida was born in Texhoma, Texas, on Dec. 29, 1924, to Samuel and Grace Stump. The family moved to Harper, Ore., in 1929 where they settled. Ida Mae graduated from Harper High School in 1942, then joined the Navy and served as a WAC for two years. Upon completion of her service obligation, Ida Mae returned to Harper, where she married William (Bill) F. Chastain, a former high school classmate, on Dec. 10, 1948. Ida and Bill farmed in Little Valley until 1954, when Bill took a job with Baker Production Credit Association. Bill and Ida moved to Baker with their family of three children, where Bill continued to farm part time along with his job at PCA. Bill and Ida welcomed their fourth child to the family after the move to Baker. Ida was a full time homemaker and a devoted mother and wife. She kept a spotless home while raising a garden, canning and preserving fruit and vegetables as well as working on many knitting and crocheting projects. She was president of her children’s PTA several years, and was actively involved in their 4-H and FFA clubs and projects. Upon Bill’s retirement from the PCA, the couple became actively involved in community activities such as fund raising for the local MCA. The couple could be seen about town taking long walks and playing golf without a cart, to stay fit. Ida was preceded in death by her husband William in 1996, both her parents and two siblings, Sammy Stump and Myrtle Holland, one grandson Ryan Chastain, and one son-in-law Mitch Banaka. She is survived by her children: Carolyn Banaka, Donald and wife, Judy Chastain, Janet and husband, Keith Jensen, and Dennis and wife, Rochelle Chastain. Sisters: Lois Wharton and husband Tom, and Betty Watkins. 10 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. Contributions can be made in Ida’s memory to the YMCA or a charity of your choice through Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel 1500 Dewey Ave. Baker City, Oregon 97814.