Donald L. "Don" Chisler

MARION, Va.

Donald L. “Don” Chisler, age 75, passed away Sunday, February 20, 2022 at Fairmont Crossing, Amherst, Va.

Don absolutely loved life, and lived and loved fully. He married his high school sweetheart, raised 3 wonderful kids who eventually made him Papaw Don or Papaw Man, depending on who was talking to him. Family was the joy of his life. He was a faithful life-long United Methodist member and he served not only his church, but the community in which he lived. Don graduated from Indiana State and went on to receive his Master’s of Education from Ball State. Don taught Junior High School History and coached boys Junior High basketball. During this time, he also enjoyed building houses alongside two fellow teachers and friends Steve North and Rodney Dunham. In June of 1979, Don and family relocated to Virginia where he became project manager at Jonathon Corporation in Norfolk. After 17 years he began a new path again in Marion with Southwest Virginia Mental Health Institute as the physical plants services manager where he finally retired from on February 9, 2018. When he wasn’t working, he loved flowers, birds, singing in the First United Methodist Church Choir, and serving on the Smyth County Electoral Board. Don Chisler – the man, the myth, the legend – will be thought of fondly and missed terribly by those who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and June Chisler; and step-father, Raymond Anglin.

Don is survived by his wife of almost 55 years, Shirley Chisler of Marion, Va.; daughters, Beth Pratt (Gregory) of Saltville, Va., and Kimberly Corbin (Nathan) of Concord, Va.; son, Kent Chisler (MaryAnn) of Chesapeake, Va.; sister, Loretta J. Ormsby (Dave) of Terre Haute, Ind.; 13 grandchildren, Alex, Ryan (Taylor), Brendan, Cameron, Lindsey, Annissia (Nick), Katie, Eva (Michael), Lauren, Brittney, Gavin (Brooke), John and Taylor; 6 great-grandchildren, Peyton, Bryson, Mason, Greyson, Hudson and Melanie; many special friends and family.

The family will receive friends Sunday, February 27, 2022 from 1 until 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 115 South Church Street, Marion, Va. 24354. Celebration of Life services will begin at 3 p.m. with the Reverend Dr. James Bennington and the Reverend Thomas Mercer, Sr. officiating. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church, or to the FUMC Food Pantry, 115 South Church Street, Marion, Va. 24354.

To share memories of Donald “Don” Chisler, please visit www.seaverbrown.com. Care for Don’s family has been entrusted to Seaver-Brown Funeral Service & Crematory, 237 East Main Street, Marion, Va. 24354.