David Lee Chastain

Dave Chastain
Educator and Tireless Advocate for Special Needs Kids
David Lee Chastain of Naples, FL, formerly of Muncie, IN, passed away January 7, 2024, after a brief illness.
Born November 1, 1954, in Selma, Indiana, to Curtis and Betty Chastain, Dave was a 1973 graduate of Wapahani High School, and spent most of his life in and around Muncie. He received both his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from Ball State University, where he was a member of the Cardinal wrestling team.
Dave loved kids, and spent his long career as a teacher, coordinator, and Director of Special Education at various public-school districts throughout Eastern and Central Indiana. He was a tireless advocate for at-risk children, and an innovator in Special Ed programs for Pre-K students, in particular.
Dave was honored with the Spirit of Meridian Award, presented by Meridian Health Services, in 2012, for his work implementing a unique alternative school program in Portland, Indiana, that integrated educational and behavioral services for children unable to tolerate a regular classroom setting. He then served as an advocate and mentor to other educators, as they developed similar programs throughout the state. He retired from Burris Lab School, as its Director of Special Education, in 2016.
On April Fool's Day 2006, Dave married Susan Traynor Chastain atop the Strat in Las Vegas Nevada, surrounded by friends and family members. They lived in Indianapolis until 2021, when they moved permanently to Naples, Florida.
He was an avid sports enthusiast, and particularly loved being on the water in one of his motorboats. His love of kids was usually on full display, and he could be found pulling dozens of kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews and friends in tubes behind his boat on Morse Reservoir and Lake Freeman.
Dave also had a huge passion for music, particularly that of The Beatles, Pink Floyd and Jimmy Buffet. And if you asked the people who knew him-or even Dave himself- most would tell you he was "a hell of a nice guy".
Dave is survived by his wife, Sue; sons, David and Casey (Lori); daughter, Bailey (Josh); four grandsons, Kuper, Kaidan, Kyler and Kellan Smith; as well as his brother, Curtis E. Chastain, Jr. (Linda); cousin, Teresa Loge (Dennis); plus many beloved nieces and nephews.
Memorial Services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 21, 2024 at The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory, Mt. Pleasant Chapel, 7901 W. Isanogel Road, Muncie.
Family and friends may call at The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory, Mt. Pleasant Chapel, 7901 W. Isanogel Road, Muncie from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 21, 2024.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Special Olympics of Indiana @
https://soindiana.org/ or Autism Speaks @ https://autismspeaks.org.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.meeksmortuary.com