Obituary

Michael Chumrey, 90, of Plainview died Friday, April 9, 2010. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. today, April 12, at Lemons Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 13, at Lemons Funeral Home Chapel with Max Browning officiating. Burial will follow in Parklawn Memorial Gardens. Michael was born Oct. 11, 1919, to Peter and Mary Chmurynski in Olympia, Wash. As a young boy the family moved to Dearborn, Mich., where he graduated from Fordson High School in 1938. In 1941 he enlisted and was eventually assigned to the glider school at Finney Switch, and during this time he met Esther Dallinger of Plainview. He was next assigned to the Army Air Base in Lamesa, and Esther was a civilian employee at the base. On Sept. 7, 1946, they married at the Dallinger home in Plainview. Michael then began his college studies in Colorado Springs, transferring to West Texas State College in Canyon where he finished his undergraduate degree. He later received a master's degree from Texas Tech University. His first teaching position was in Hale Center. In 1952 he began his career in the Plainview ISD. He taught history and was assistant principal at the high school. He then served as principal at the following schools: Central Elementary, Estacado Junior High and College Hill Elementary. After retirement, he worked part-time in adult education until 1989. Mike enjoyed his career working with the students, teachers and the staff of each school he served. Esther died in 1989. In 1992 at the Valentine's dance at the Senior Center he met Frances Harrell, and they married July 10, 1992. In his spare time he loved to read, and he was often at the library. He also listened to and recorded many types of music, but was especially fond of early jazz musicians and was well-versed on that era. He and Frances lunched often at the Senior Center, greatly enjoying both the food and fellowship there. He was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church and the Harmony Sunday School Class. Mike is survived by his wife, Frances; two daughters and their spouses, Kathy and Jim Paige of Fredericksburg, Texas, and Ann and Dan Tiscareno of Pittsburg, Calif.; two stepsons and their spouses, Butch and Sherry Harrell of Hale Center, their children and grandchildren, and Rex and Kay Harrell of Hemphill, Texas, and his daughter. Also, his sister, Olga Fritz of Rochester, N.Y.; a brother-in-law and his wife, Alfred and Bettye Dallinger of Fredericksburg, Texas; five nephews; and three nieces. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Esther; his parents; a brother, Joe; and a son-in-law, Wayne Cotton. The family suggests memorials to First United Methodist Church, Unger Memorial Library or the Senior Center of Plainview.