Obituary for Richard Lee "Newt" Chitwood
Richard Lee “Newt” Chitwood, 86 of Unionville passed away on Saturday, February 6, 2021 at his residence. Newt was born May 20, 1934 and was the son of late Jim Colbert and Happy Blanche (Culver) Chitwood. He was a lifetime member of the Unionville Church of Christ. After graduating from Unionville High School in 1952, he worked for his brother Paul as a tin smith until he chose to go into the military and serve the United States Navy from 1956 to 1958 in Norfolk Virginia. Shortly after the Navy Newt worked for his brother Charlie for about five years. Newt then went to work for Marathon as a maintenance man traveling all over southern Indiana servicing gas pumps, Lifts and anything else thats needed repaired at the service stations. In 1966 Newt and Jim Morris opened a marathon service station at 3rd and bypass (Currently Burger King) and later on leased it with Max Mingee. He then leased the Marathon at 3rd and Jordan followed by the Marathon at 401 W. 17th St. which he bought around 1980 and operated until he retired on July 3, 2008. In total Newt spent 40 years with the Marathon company.
He was an avid IU basketball fan and a personal friend of Bob Knight. He had many memories with him and players over the years. Newt was also a pilot in his early years and later built his own ultralight airplane in his basement. Newt loved spending time with his family especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Newt is survived by his wife Nancy (Asher) Chitwood; Son Jeff Chitwood and two daughters Jodi Cole and Shelly (John) Harvat; 8 grandchildren, Ashley Chitwood, Trevor Chitwood, Paige Chitwood, Morgan McCartney, Maison Cole, Holland Harvat, Harbour Harvat, and Havayah Harvat; and 4 Great grandchildren, Sebastian, Meadow, Elias and Sunny.
Newt was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Bertha Mae Young; and four brothers, Charlie, Paul, Morris and Raymond Chitwood which was killed in World War II.
Visitation for Newt will be Wednesday, February 10, 2021 from 2 – 8pm at the funeral Chapel of Powell and Deckard 3000 E. 3rd St., Bloomington. Do you to COVID-19 restrictions we can only have 25 people in the funeral home at a time and a mask is required. We ask for your patience if there is a line.
Funeral services will be 11 AM Thursday, February 11, 2021 at the Unionville Church of Christ, 8056 Indiana 45, Unionville, IN. There will be visitation from 10 to 11AM With funeral service immediately following.
In lieu of the flowers donations may be given in Newt’s memory to the..Berean Children’s Home, INC.
1180 Berra TR. S.E.
Bogue Chitto, MS 39629
He was an avid IU basketball fan and a personal friend of Bob Knight. He had many memories with him and players over the years. Newt was also a pilot in his early years and later built his own ultralight airplane in his basement. Newt loved spending time with his family especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Newt is survived by his wife Nancy (Asher) Chitwood; Son Jeff Chitwood and two daughters Jodi Cole and Shelly (John) Harvat; 8 grandchildren, Ashley Chitwood, Trevor Chitwood, Paige Chitwood, Morgan McCartney, Maison Cole, Holland Harvat, Harbour Harvat, and Havayah Harvat; and 4 Great grandchildren, Sebastian, Meadow, Elias and Sunny.
Newt was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Bertha Mae Young; and four brothers, Charlie, Paul, Morris and Raymond Chitwood which was killed in World War II.
Visitation for Newt will be Wednesday, February 10, 2021 from 2 – 8pm at the funeral Chapel of Powell and Deckard 3000 E. 3rd St., Bloomington. Do you to COVID-19 restrictions we can only have 25 people in the funeral home at a time and a mask is required. We ask for your patience if there is a line.
Funeral services will be 11 AM Thursday, February 11, 2021 at the Unionville Church of Christ, 8056 Indiana 45, Unionville, IN. There will be visitation from 10 to 11AM With funeral service immediately following.
In lieu of the flowers donations may be given in Newt’s memory to the..Berean Children’s Home, INC.
1180 Berra TR. S.E.
Bogue Chitto, MS 39629