Milton “Mel” Earl Chance Jr., age 89, passed away peacefully only days before his 90th birthday, on Saturday evening, Nov. 21, 2020 at Columbus Regional Hospital. He was a resident of Nashville.
Mel was born Nov. 23, 1930 in Indianapolis to his parents the late Milton Earl and Mary Elizabeth (Hubbard) Chance Sr. He was a 1949 graduate of Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis and went on to attend Indiana University. Mel proudly served as a Seaman with the United States Navy during the Korean War. He married Virginia “Jenny” Iris Walton on May 18, 1974 in Indianapolis. She lovingly survives after 46 devoted years of marriage.
Mel worked as a telephone repairman for Indiana Bell Telephone Company for 27 years, retiring in 1981.
Mel had a love for music. He enjoyed listening to Big Band era music and played the saxophone and clarinet. He shared his musical gift by mentoring and encouraging children at Brown County Intermediate, Junior High and High School. Mel was always willing to play and perform for others. He would play in the worship band at church, cover spotlight gigs in Nashville and played in the bands: Nostalgia, Brown County Community Band and the Mizfits. Mel also had his own band, called the Noteables. When he wasn’t playing music, he was teaching private music lessons to children and adults.
Mel belonged to the Senior Keglers and bowled with the Thursday morning league for 35 years. He was an active member of Encounter Life Ministries in Nashville and was a regular attendee of Silver Sneakers at the Brown County YMCA. Prior to moving to Nashville, Mel was the Indiana District Commander of the Royal Rangers with the Assembly of God Church. His leadership encouraged their motto of: Reach, Teach and Keep Boys for Christ. He will be remembered most for his love of music, his ability to encourage youth and his unyielding faith in God.
Mel will be missed by his wife Jenny of Nashville, children: Linda Walker of Tampa, Florida, Debra Risch of Greenfield, Devin (Brenda) Chance of Indianapolis, Kimberly Hall of Indianapolis, 10 grandchildren, sister: Judith Bierman of Geneva, as well as several nieces and nephews. He will also be missed by his Airedale named Lady and his Australian Shepherd named Charlie.
Mel was preceded in death by his parents and son Michael Chance.
Pastor Cory Joy will conduct a funeral service at 12 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27 at Meredith-Clark Funeral Home Cremation & Personalization Center, 179 E. Mulberry Street in Morgantown. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until service time at the funeral home. Burial will be at Greenlawn Cemetery in Nashville with military rites presented by the Brown County Honor Guard and the United States Navy.
Memorial contributions may be sent in honor of Mel to Encounter Life Ministries: P.O. Box 1155 Nashville, Indiana 47448. Expressions of caring and kindness can be made to the Chance family at www.meredith-clark.com.
