Submitted by: Dan Rich

Eldridge l. Chism Sr.

Dec. 19, 1924 - April 3, 2008

South Bend Tribune 4/6/2008
SOUTH BEND - Mr. Eldridge l. Chism Sr., 83, who resided on Arabian Court, South Bend, Indiana, passed away at 8:25 p.m. on Thursday, April 3, 2008, in Fountain View Place, Mishawaka, Indiana. Eldridge was born to the union of Tolbert and Sallie (Exum) Chism Sr. on December 19, 1924, in Jackson, Tennessee. Coming from Jackson, Tennessee, in 1940, he moved to South Bend. He served his country as a private first class in the United States Army from 1943 to 1946 after being honorably discharged.

He was united in holy matrimony to Arvelia Lee on December 31, 1946, in South Bend. He retired in 1987 from Uniroyal after working 44 years as a rubber worker. He was a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church where he served as a former choir member. He was a member of the Am Vets Local #66, American Legion Post #50 and was a member of the Martin Luther King Men's Senior Club. Eldridge loved to hunt and bowl, and was an overall sports fan. Eldridge was preceded in death by his parents, Tolbert and Sallie Chism Sr.; three brothers, George Robert Chism, Roy Lee Chism and Tolbert Chism Jr.; one sister, Leora Tabor; three sons, Edward Eugene Chism, Athan Dean Chism and Ernie Aaron Chism; along with two brothers-in-law, John Tabor and Jimmy Johnson. Those left behind to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Arvelia Chism; five daughters, Patricia W. Caldwell and Eldrena Adams, both of Louisville, Kentucky, Iva I. Allison of Windsor, Connecticut, Amenda D. Aikens (Terry) of Granger, Indiana, and Linda Deberry of South Bend; four sons, Eldridge L. (Virginia) Chism Jr. of Granger, Indiana, Michael Darwin Chism, Lamont Chism and Tolbert (Shannon) Chism, all of South Bend; 36 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Mattie Johnson of South Bend; along with a host of other relatives and friends.