Melvin W. Chase

PLAINFIELD – Melvin Willis Chase, 93, a longtime resident of Barre Hill Road, passed away on Monday, May 6, 2024, at the Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin.

Born on April 16, 1931, in Plainfield, he was the son of Everett and Lucie (Stoddard) Chase.  He attended elementary school in Plainfield and graduated from Plainfield High School in 1949.  Following his schooling, Melvin enlisted the in the U.S. Army where he served during the Korean Conflict until being honorably discharged in 1954.

On July 9, 1955, he married Marilyn Martin in Plainfield.  The two made their home in Somersworth, NH  until her passing in 1965.  On August 18, 1979, he married Mary Etta Goslant in a ceremony in Plainfield.  They lived together in Plainfield until the time of Melvin’s passing.

Throughout his life, Melvin had many different jobs.  Those included working for his father’s trucking sompany, Wirthmore Feeds in Portsmouth, NH, Vermont Business Machines in Montpelier, Purina Feed Store in East Montpelier, Central Supplies in Randolph and finally for the U.S. Postal Service for 26 years before eventually retiring. He also coached  varsity baseball and softball, boys and girls junior varsity  basketball as well as being the athletic director for Twinfield High School. In addition, he was the Grace UMC treasurer for over 25 years.

Melvin had many  interests in life.  He loved playing baseball and softball, spending time at camp on Nelson Pond, playing cribbage, gardening and attending his children and grandchildren’s sporting activities.  He also coached women’s softball.  The Barre Women’s Softball League even created the “Melvin ‘Mel’ Chase Impact Award (Respect the game, honor the people, hold tight the memories)”.

Survivors include his wife Mary Etta Chase of Plainfield; his children Patricia Blanchard and her husband, Robin of Amarillo, TX, Karen Sleeper and her husband, Brent of Barre, and Robert Chase of Randolph;  his stepchildren Kent Goslant and his wife, Cheryl of Morrisville, Keith Goslant of Montpelier, Kim Goslant and his wife, Carol of Cambridge, MA and Kevin Goslant of Waterbury.  He also leaves his sister Judie McGary of Cody, WY as well as ten grandchildren (Stephanie Harris, Allison Rosenbach, Caitlin Schmitt, Dillon Sleeper, Cody Sleeper, Brent Howsman, Becky Howsman, Kaili Hintz Aryel Wilbur & Clare Goslant), twenty great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews

He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers Willis and Francis, his wife Marilyn, his daughter Kathy Chase and his sister-in-law Loraine.

A service to honor and celebrate Melvin’s life will be held on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. in the Grace United Methodist Church, 13 Mill Street in Plainfield.  Burial will follow in the Plain-Mont Cemetery in Plainfield.

Memorial Contributions in his name may be made to the Grace United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 277, Plainfield, VT 05667; Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Barre, VT 05641; the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 3049, Syracuse, NY 13220 or to your local youth sports program.