February 24, 1954 - August  30, 2022

Chaney, Christopher L.  Beloved husband of Heather Chaney for 45 years.  Dear father of James Chaney (Jessica) and Lindsay Lovell (Mike); grandfather of Connor and Harper Lovell.  Loving son of the late Carl and Betty Chaney.  Dear sister of Lynn Chaney and the late Joe Chaney.  Loving Uncle of Nick Chaney and Laura Knotts.  Also survived by many loving cousins and friends.

Chris passed away peacefully at home with Hospice Care on August 30th  at the age of 68.  Visitation will be held on Friday, September 23 at Church Venture, 3187 Western Row Road, Maineville, from  12:00 - 2:00.  A Celebration of Life Service to follow at 2:00.  A reception will be held  immediately following the service until 6:00 at Belwood Country Club 5873 Ludlum Road, Morrow.

Chris was born in Middletown, Ohio and graduated from Middletown High School where he was fond of recounting that he graduated with all A's except for one B+ in Mechanical Drawing.  Some of Chris' fondest memories were of playing in The Rosedale Summer Basketball league with his high school buddies Jeff Benseler, Phil Leasure (deceased) and Bill Huntzinger.  Chris graduated from Purdue University where he majored in mechanical engineering. While at Purdue he was a member of Triangle Fraternity where he met many of his dearest friends and his wife, Heather, who was his Fraternity Little Sister.  These fraternity brothers have remained lifelong friends and supporters (Brad Beck, Ron Lurie, Jeff Benseler & Leo Broering (deceased). You were never supposed to date your Fraternity Little Sister but he and Heather were meant to be!

Chris worked for 35 years for Procter and Gamble where he designed the machinery for Pampers diapers.  While at P&G Chris made many lifelong friends, who have supported him in so many ways these past few years. One of his co-workers wrote, "you are one of my P&G heroes for being such a committed family man, people person, and a great manager to so many, as well as enabling some of us to think outside of the box in order to thrive in the corporate industry."

Chris truly lived his faith. He served as an elder at Crestview Presbyterian Church in West Chester. When he and Heather moved to their farm, Whispering Oaks, in Morrow he met Pastor Kerry Thrush and helped found Church Venture in Maineville.  Chris served on the Finance Team.  One of the first sermons Christ heard Kerry preach was how he found God while fishing on a river with his Grandfather.  From then on Chris was IN!

Chris loved to support his children in all ways possible.  He and his dear neighbor, Cy Overbeck, coached baseball and basketball for teams of young men that became like family.  He enjoyed supporting his son, Jamie, through his varsity  basketball career at Lakota High School. He encouraged his daughter, Lindsay, to pursue her equestrian dreams and became the ultimate Horse Dad by buying property and building a barn for her horse, Ashes.  Chris would tell anyone that watching his future son in law Mike play football brought him pure JOY!  Chris loved his many dogs, especially Harley, who would follow him everywhere.

Chris was officially diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2008 but had symptoms 10 years prior to that.  Chris refused to let this disease define him.  He developed an acronym of SANE - Support, Attitude, Nutrition and Exercise that he said allowed  him to fight the disease head on.  He and his trainer, Lisa Coors and dear sister in Parkinson's, Jakkie Hunter, founded Parkinson's Community Fitness in 2018.   It was Chris' dream to create a sanctuary where people with Parkinson's and any movement disorder could come to escape the public eye and experience excellent physical training, education,  and emotional support.  PCF is flourishing in Blue Ash and he was so proud of the excellent work the Board of Directors, trainers and Maribeth Cash have done to make this dream become a reality.  The words HOPE, HEALTH, ACCEPTANCE continue to guide this organization.

Chris's other great passion was fishing.  He was introduced to fishing by his father, Carl. At the age of 7, he and his Dad began to take trips to Hastings, MI where the Thornapple River runs.  It was heaven on earth for Chris and his Father catching smallmouth bass in their waders standing in this beautiful river.  After his Dad passed away and his Parkinson's began to affect this ability to fish - a crew of fishing buddies was unofficially formed to allow him to continue to pursue this passion.  His son, Jamie and daughter-in-law Jessica made it a priority to fish with him. His daughter, Lindsay and son-in-law, Mike even suited up and took him out while we vacationed in Wisconsin.  His friend,  Jim Fox had a drift boat built to allow him to be on the river when wading the river was no longer an option.  Tom Candella, Jason Tucker, Kerry Thrush, Joel Miles and sons, Steve Meibers and Vern Dewitt (deceased) were loyal supporters and TATC(Thornapple Twenty Club) members.  He truly lived for those trips to the Thornapple.  His knowledge and love of fishing earned him the nickname "The Legend" and Jim Fox wrote that Chris taught him more about "Life and Living than he will ever know." What a special bond he shares with a young man who loves fishing as much as he does.  Thank you Griff.

Chris also made yearly trips to Waupaca WI and the Chain of Lakes a priority to keep ties with Heather's Oak Park McClure family.  For 41 years the family traveled to Wisconsin where the family boated and enjoyed the beautiful lakes while  Chris fished the Little Wolf River.  For the past few years, Justin Carfagnini supported him on this river.  Chris was so competitive that he would get up at 5a.m. so that he could boast that he was one up on catching a bass off the end of the pier.

Chris was rocked to the core by the deaths of two of his dearest West Chester friends in March of 2021.  He lost Bob Hutzelman and Mike Hasselbach within weeks of one another and it left a great hole.  These men shared the joy of watching their sons play basketball together and also many trips to Destin, FL with half of West Chester along.  Another dear friend battles Alzheimers.

Chris and Heather enjoyed the 15 years they spent at their "Farmette" in Morrow.   It was a great chapter with horses and lots of land to mow and Whispering Oaks was a great place to host many fun events.  For the past two and a half years Chris enjoyed living in a multi-generational house with Heather and  Lindsay and Mike and his grandchildren.  Connor and Harper truly made him laugh every day and what a joy it has been for him to share this experience.  The kindness, love and physical strength of his son-in-law, Mike, has been a true gift.

The family wishes to express thanks to all who have provided excellent medical care and support through the years, including University of Cincinnati Neurology, Dr. Alberto Espay and Maureen Gartner, Dr. Saba Ansari of Tri Health, and Otterbein Hospice.  The gratitude, love and support of  close family and friends, Kerry Thrush and The Church Venture Family, Parkinson Community Fitness and the TATC Fishing Group can never be adequately expressed.  Special thanks to his devoted sister, Lynn for her loving care and his sister in law Dee Dee for being there when we needed her.

Chris' favorite scripture was Isaiah 40:28-31

Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The LORD is the everlasting God,

He will not grow tired or weary,

and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall:

But those who hope in the LORD

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles:

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

Chris' positive attitude radiated from him.  He is at rest now in the arms of his Loving Father.  Praise God.

The family requests that those who wish to express sympathy consider making a donation to   Parkinson Community Fitness, 9687 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash, OH  45242 or Church Venture 3187 Western Row Road, Maineville.

Arrangements:

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, September 23 at 2:00  following a visitation from 12:00 until 2:00 at Church Venture 3187 Western Row Road, Maineville.  The family would like to invite family and friends to a reception at Belwood Country Club, 5873 Ludlum Road, Morrow,  following the service to celebrate Chris. Attire for all is Business Casual- no suits and ties, please!