Gary Chatham

(From Parker Mortuary)

Gary Dale Chatham, age 72, Joplin, passed away on Monday, December 2, 2019 at Freeman West Hospital.

Gary was born November 4, 1947 in Joplin, Missouri, son of the late Robert Leland Chatham and Janet Alene Wyatt Chatham. He graduated from Carl Junction High School before attending Missouri Southern State College. He served in the United States Army as an engineer, serving in Vietnam. Gary married Sheila Ann Daniels on June 3, 1966 in Joplin. He began his career with the United States Postal Service, working in Joplin for many years, and retired in 1990 as Postmaster in South West City, Missouri. He then worked as an insurance salesman with American General and State Farm before working as a social worker for the Division of Family Services in Joplin and Anderson, Missouri. He also assisted Disabled Veteran's while working for the State. He later worked as a Field Auditor for the State of Missouri until his second retirement in 2013.

Gary was a member of Villa Heights Christian Church. Over the years he has been active with Four State Christian Fellowship, where he served on the Board. He also taught an in-home bible study on Wednesday evenings.

In addition to his parents, Gary was preceded in death by a sister, Claudenia Woolever, and a brother, Robert Eugene Chatham.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Sheila Ann Daniels Chatham; son, Gary D. Chatham, II of Coffeyville, Kansas; daughter, Melissa L. Chatham of Joplin; three grandchildren, Jordon Dale Chatham (Katie) of Coffeyville, Kansas, Daniel Dale Chatham (Brittany) of Neosho, Missouri, Whitney D. Carlburg (Kenny) of Coffeyville; great-grandchildren, Addison Ann Chatham, Charlotte Grace Chatham, and Oaklee Raye Chatham; sister, Judy Marlene Graham of Springfield, Missouri; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be Friday, December 6, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at Villa Heights Christian Church with Pastor Truman Brady officiating. Interment will follow in Osborne Memorial Cemetery with family serving as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends at Villa Heights Christian Church on Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Four-State Christian Fellowship: Planting and Nourishing New Christian Churches care of Parker Mortuary.