It is with tremendous sadness that we share the passing of Stuart Howard Chase of Rochester, Illinois, on March 12, 2025, at the age of 77. Stuart was born on March 7, 1948, in Wayne City, Illinois, to Kermit “King” and Vivian (Withrow) Chase. He died of acute exacerbated congestive heart failure and pulmonary edema.
Stuart met his wife Barbara Lithgow in one of the greatest “meet cutes” ever when he almost didn’t hire her and she almost didn’t accept the position of home economics teacher at Stonington High School. The town of Stonington, Illinois, cheered them on when they were married on June 17, 1978. They were married for 46 years.
Stuart was a graduate of Wayne City High School. He was an Eagle Scout and these principles deeply informed his life. He attended Rend Lake Community College and Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry. He served in the United States Army, processing discharge papers in South Korea at the end of the Vietnam War. Upon returning home he worked in pharmaceutical sales for three months and hated it. He then taught Science and Reading at Wayne City Elementary School for four years. There he found his life’s passion: education, the field in which he worked and to which he devoted himself for over 43 years.
Stuart then completed his Master’s Degree in Education using his GI Bill benefits. Upon receiving his Master’s degree, Stuart served as the principal and chemistry teacher at Stonington High School for 15 years until it annexed with Taylorville School District. Stuart often talked about what a wonderful community Stonington was and what a great experience it was to raise a family there. After annexing with Taylorville, Stuart chose to go back into teaching, stating that “the higher you go, the further you are away from the kids.” Despite multiple attempts and requests for Stuart to go back into administration, he taught physical science, chemistry, and physics at Taylorville High School for 13 years before retiring.
In retirement he taught chemistry and physics part-time at Okaw Valley High School for 2 years and Shelbyville High School for more than 13 years. It was at Shelbyville that his student called him, “Mr. Chase, the Science Ace” and made and wore buttons with this nickname. In addition to teaching in the public schools, Stuart taught in the evenings at Lincoln Land Community College, the Taylorville Correctional Center, and a summer at a job core alternative school for students with significant behavioral challenges. He also volunteered for years with the Matthew Project, a tutoring organization for homeless students. Stuart strongly believed in the power of education, sought a variety of teaching experiences, and made every moment a learning opportunity for those around him.
Stuart was a member of and a deacon at Joy Assembly Church in Stonington, a member of Evangelical Free Church in Taylorville, and later attended iWorshipCenter and Hope Church in Springfield, Illinois. His belief in the teachings of Jesus was the backbone of his love, kindness, and respect for others.
He is survived by his wife Barbara Chase; daughters Sarah Turner of Springfield, Illinois, and Emily Chase of Springfield, Illinois; and beloved grandson Ben Turner. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kermit “King” and Vivian Chase; brother, Steve Chase; son-in-law, Nathan Turner; and numerous grandparents, aunts, and uncles.
Stuart was a voracious reader, especially about history, leadership, and sociology. He could often be found in his recliner with a book and their dogs, Scout and Harper. His favorite pastimes were attending a band or choir concert or a Rochester Rocket football game, or anything involved with being a wonderful “Grandpa Dad” for his grandson, Ben.
A visitation for Stuart will take place from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at McClure Funeral Home in Taylorville. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home and the burial will be in the Old Stonington Cemetery following the funeral. Because Stuart was so devoted to public education, if you wish to wear a school logo shirt (Taylorville, Shelbyville, Rochester, etc) while in attendance, you are encouraged to do so.
Memorials may be made to Land of Lincoln Honor Flight or the Gary Sinise Foundation. McClure Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Taylorville is assisting the family with arrangements.
