Marjean Mae (Hartzler) Chastain

Marjean Mae (Hartzler) Chastain, 97, passed peacefully at her long time home in Wooster on April 18 with loving family by her side. Marjean’s son Lincoln and daughter-in-law Pamela have lovingly cared for her since 2022.

Born in Wooster, Ohio on February 2, 1928 to Dr. Adrian and Ruth (Stuckey) Hartzler, Marjean led an extremely active and social lifestyle. A 1946 Wooster High School National Honor Society graduate, Marjean participated in nearly all the clubs that school and community offered. She excelled in Theater and Dance, Operetta and Choir, Glee club, Latin and Spanish clubs, and was the Wooster Generals Head Majorette. Marjean was a 1950 graduate from The College of Wooster, where she earned her B.A. diploma as a Speech major and was a member of Kappa Theta Gamma - College Dramatics Honorary, National Collegiate Players and an Honor Thespian. Marjean performed three years of Summer Stock at Camden Hills Theatre in Camden, Maine. While attending college, Marjean met the love of her life, J. Dale Chastain and they married in the summer of 1951.

Marjean and Dale lived in various states as they raised seven children, and in 1968 Dale became the Director of the Peace Corps in West Africa and the family moved to Liberia for several years. Upon return to Wooster, Marjean became known to thousands as the friendly Burger King lady, and proudly retired after serving twenty five years in that role. She was loved and admired by all of her colleagues.

Marjean was a die hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan and loved watching every single game, every season since the 1960s. She was always surrounded by Steelers memorabilia, and loved to knit black and gold scarves for everyone to wear. Throughout her life, Marjean loved all kinds of music and especially musicals, with West Side Story being one of her favorites and singing along to every song.

Always selfless and nurturing, Marjean raised her seven children, then helped to raise her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was an incredibly loving, loyal and devoted woman that found immense joy in taking care of others. Marjean was an open minded and liberal thinker, always accepting and never judging, she took on new people and experiences with the poise and grace of a true lady; the last of her kind. We are immeasurably blessed to have had her for so long.

Marjean is survived by sons Jefferson, Lincoln (Pame) and Jackson; daughters Elizabeth and Victoria (Steve); daughter-in-law, Lori Chastain;  fifteen grandchildren, twenty-eight great-grandchildren and four great great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, husband Dale, daughter Abigail and son Madison.

As per Marjean’s request, there will be no funeral service, but asked that all who read this to please cherish the time spent with your families and loved ones.In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to your local Hospice  or the Josette Beddell Memorial Foundation, PO Box 8497, Canton, OH 44711 josettememorial.org to help local women diagnosed with breast cancer.