A Little Family History...

The Chasteen family name is a French Huguenot name, and originated in this country in Virginia, and over about six generations many other nationality streams flowed into it, but predominantly Irish and Swedish.  Marlene's family name, Hazel-wood, also originated in Virginia, and is of English heritage.  Mel and Marlene met in Illinois, where Marlene and their four subsequent children were born.  Mel was born in Wisconsin, but lived in Illinois for many years (around 40--about half of these after marrying Marlene).  After Mel and Marlene were married in 1980, they served four churches in the state before being called to the South Euclid Baptist Church of Ontario, California (greater LA area).  Thus began their fulfillment of the "California Dream."

Why California?
 

That's a good question.  Growing up on the dreary "tundra" of Illinois, Mel had a fascination with California that many non-Californians have, but don't want to admit it!  His brother, Russ, moved there ahead of him, and persuaded him to come out for a visit.  Mel and Marlene talked it over, and decided to send Mel to "go and spy out the land."  He hopped a Greyhound bus and rolled into southern California a few days later, weary but excited about this new Shangri-la.  Indeed it was "a land that flowed with milk and honey."  When the Lord's call came, like the Beverly Hillbillies, they packed everything into the family wagon (and U-Haul truck) and moved to this special place called California.

More on Mel and Marlene...

Mel was born in 1947 in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and was the second of four children.  His father, Harry Chasteen pastored churches in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois.  Mel attended Illinois public schools, and graduated in 1965 from Murphysboro Township High School in southern Illinois.  Marlene was born in Carlinville Illinois, the seventh of seven children, in 1958 and attended public schools in Nilwood and Girard.  After four years in the Navy, Mel went to Judson College and graduated with a B.A. degree in 1973.  After college, he worked his way through seminary, and graduated in 1980 from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois, with the M.Div. degree.  Marlene, meanwhile, had completed one year of college, and was working and still living with her parents on a farm in rural Girard, Illinois.  By the assistance of her sister, Linda, whom Mel knew from college, and who attended the same church he attended in Elgin, Illinois, Mel and Marlene were introduced in late 1979.  Engagement soon ensued, and they were married in June of 1980 one day after Mel's graduation from seminary!  They had driven through the night 200 miles to Mar-lene's home area, and, though exhausted, managed to say their "I do's" the next day.  Four children were born to Mel and Marlene in Illinois: Melana in 1982 in Dixon, Illinois, Josiah in 1985 in Jerseyville, Illinois, Jonathan in 1986 in Sterling, Illinois, and James in 1989 in Sterling, Illinois.
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The Chasteen "Kids"

Melana, our first, was born in early December 1982, when we drove through snowy weather about 20 miles to Dixon, Illinois, the nearest birthing center hospital. Always a good student, Melana began showing interest in the piano at an early age, and Mom and Dad decided that a pianist in the family would be a definite advantage in church work, so lessons began! After our move to California, Melana was the first of our four children to attend California Baptist University, music major (piano), and graduated with honors in 2005.  In addition to piano, she plays the flute.

Josiah was born in 1985 in Jerseyville, Illinois, near our then residence in Wrights, Illinois.  As a boy Josiah developed an interest in trumpet.  Mel played trumpet, and the boys seemed influenced by his daily practice routine.  Josiah was in the Ontario High School band, and during his senior year led the trumpet section.  He also participated in a community orchestra, and received several awards.  He was very interested in joining the Marines, but due to a medical history of seizures as a child, was denied this ambition.  He followed his sister in attending California Baptist University, where he is a fifth year music education student, and has majored in trumpet. 

Jonathan came along next, born in 1986 in Sterling, Illinois.  He, like his brother, became interested in playing in the school bands, and played several instruments, and was the low brass section leader in the Ontario High School band.  At California Baptist University he initially majored in Euphonium, then trombone, and now he prefers playing guitar and singing.  Currently he is working at a coffee shop chain in Xexia, Ohio, and staying with his grandmother Chasteen.  He still has one year of college to complete, and is thinking about transferring to nearby Wright State Unversity in Dayton.

James, our youngest, was born in 1989 in Sterling, Illinois, and graduated from Modoc High School in Alturas in 2006.  He's completed one and a half years at California Baptist University in the Bachelor of Arts in Theology program.  In addition to his theological studies, he plays trumpet in the pep band, and loves the guitar.  James is a very bright student, and feels called to the ministry.