Sam Chamness of Marion

MARION - Samuel L. "Sam" Chamness, 92, of Marion, passed away at 7:46 a.m., Monday, Aug. 13, 2018 at his home.

Sam was born on March 23, 1926 in Marion to Lee and Esther (Hunter) Chamness. He married Irene Ellis in 1945 and she preceded him in death in 1981.

He married his beloved Delores "Ann" Rader on July 19, 1993 at the Franklin County Courthouse. She survives of Marion.

Sam served his country bravely while stationed in Germany with the U.S. Army 818th Battalion. Once honorably discharged, he began his career with Goodyear as a line inspector in Akron, Ohio. After his retirement, he returned to Illinois to be with his brothers.

He remained active in his communities as a member of the American Steel Workers Union in Akron and the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Marion.

He was Baptist and attended whenever he could.

In his spare time, he enjoyed playing cards with his friends and family, fishing for whatever was biting and bird watching. He enjoyed quiet times with his family, watching PBR rodeo bull riding and watching old westerns, especially those with John Wayne.

He will be missed by all those that knew and loved him.

Survivors include his wife, Ann Chamness of Marion; daughter, Brenda Alcorn and husband, Gene, of Navarre, Ohio; stepson, Mike Whiting, and wife, Sherry, of Marion; 11 grandchildren: Donna Rohr and husband, Wayne, Mike Alcorn, Melinda Richardson and husband, Brad, Scott Alcorn and wife, Susana, Johnathon, Christopher and Tanner Alcorn, Chrissy Stein and husband, Ryan, Angela McAnalley and husband, James, Chris Whiting and wife, Jennifer, and Brad Whiting; many great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews, as well as close friends.

Sam was preceded in death by his parents; first wife; three sons and one daughter, Mary Boyer; and four brothers and five sisters.

The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 20 at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home in Marion. Pastor Barbara Vaughn will officiate. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Marion. Military rites will be performed graveside by the Marion VFW and American Legion Posts with assistance from the Illinois National Guard.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until time of service, Monday at the funeral home.

For more information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.hughesfuneralhomes.com.