James “Jim” Raymond Chaney, 89, of Batesville, passed away Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. Jim was born July 24, 1932, in Stuart, Neb. to the late Earl Chaney and Anna (Blackburn) Chaney.
Jim graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Professional Engineer P.E. and was a member of the University of Arkansas Society of Civil Engineers.
Jim retired after 30 plus years of work with the Arkansas Highway Department. He was an avid fan of the Arkansas Razorbacks and was a member of the Independence County Chapter of the Arkansas Alumni Association. Jim lived his life based on the three things he held most dear to his heart, God, Country, and Family. Jim was of the Catholic faith and attended Mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Batesville. His faith was evident in the way he lived his life and treated others. Jim was very patriotic. He was proud to be an American and served his country honorably in the Untied States Army. But most of all Jim loved and treasured his family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend and will forever be loved and missed.
Jim is reunited in heaven with his parents, Earl and Anna Chaney; his brothers, Donald “Mick” Chaney and Robert “Bob” Chaney; his sister, Marge Hamilton; and his brother-in-law, Don Shald. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Shirley Ann (Shald) Chaney; his son, Steven Chaney (Tracye) of Melbourne; his two daughters, Karen Ryan (Steve) of Newark and Kathryn Lamb (Bryant) of Melbourne; his beloved grandchildren, Chaney James (Forrest), and Matthew Ryan (Emily), Brad Lamb, Cole Lamb, Jay Chaney, Jared Chaney, Savannah Daigle (Josh), Mary Hannah Bryant (Mills), and Lydia Sipe; one great-granddaughter, Robyn Daigle; several nieces and nephews that he cared for dearly, and many friends and acquaintances.
Services are entrusted to Willis Funeral Service of Batesville. Services will be conducted Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Batesville as follows: 9:30 a.m. Rosary, 10 a.m. Visitation, 11 a.m. Funeral Mass. Military Honors will be rendered at a graveside service the next day, Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock at 10 a.m.
To honor Jim’s love for reading and education, the family asks that In lieu of flowers donations be made to the Independence County Public Library.
Honored to serve as Pallbearers are: Matthew Ryan, Chaney James, Jay Chaney, Jared Chaney, Brad Lamb, and Cole Lamb.
