Elijah L. “Lige” Chamness, 94, of Marion, passed away on Thursday, January 21, 2016 at 4:16 am at Parkway Manor in Marion.
Elijah was born April 28, 1921 in Creal Springs the son of Flaud and Louetta (Atwood) Chamness. He married Mildred Eleanor Bennett in Paducah, Kentucky on February 19, 1938. She preceded him in death on October 14, 2013.
Elijah was extremely proud to be a member of Union Local #318 Operating Engineers, joining in 1958. He was highly skilled at operating many different pieces of heavy equipment from backhoes, road graders, bulldozers and draglines. He worked on many of the road, bridge, interstate and levee projects in Southern Illinois during the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman. Quail and pheasant were probably his favorite hunting with his beloved hunting dog “Old Dan” and he walked many a field with bird hunting brother-in-law “Uncle Bud”. Later in life it was fishing, and he would fish with anyone, anytime, also golfing with his brother-in-law Jay. Elijah enjoyed watching his grandkids, great grandkids and great great grandkids play sports. His family was his pride and joy and he was ours.
He is survived by:
Two daughters;
Yvonne and Henry Priddy of Marion
Christine Miller of Collinsville
Son- Bennett and Peggy Chamness of Grand Island, Nebraska
Eight Grandchildren- Yolanda and Eddie Dwyer
Charles and Betty Hogue
Sean and Kendra Priddy
Gretchen Smith
Noel Lee and Jamie Smith
Justin and Stacey Chamness
Brian and Kristin Chamness
Tyler Chamness
Eleven Great Grandchildren – James, Travis, Desirae, Jonah, Krystal, Joshua, Tatyanna, Nola, Kammy, Baya, Bode
Three Great Great Grandchildren – Jordan, Layla, Aurora
Sister-in-law – Georgia & Jay Elkins of Marion
Sister-in-law – Mildred Holmes of Marion
Several nieces and nephews
Preceded by his Parents, Wife – Mildred Chamness, three Sons – Robert Elijah, Jerry Lane, and Terry Lee Chamness, Great Granddaughter – Brynn McKinley Chamness, six Brothers – Hall, Lester, Guy, Floyd Everett, Riley and Junior Chamness and three Sisters – MaryBelle Duke, Arlene Pike and Katherine Shurtz.
Funeral services will be Sunday, January 24, 2016 at 1:30 pm at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home with Rev. R.G. Walls officiating. Burial will follow in White Oak Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday evening from 5 – 8 pm at the funeral home.
For those who prefer memorials may be made to the White Oak Cemetery. Envelopes will be available and accepted at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home, 800 North Market Street, Marion, Illinois 62959.