He was born December 31, 1924 in Darke County, son of the late Melvin T. and Esther L. (Strait) Cruze. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine W. Cruze on January 26, 2006, a daughter, Regina L. Hawes, and a sister, Doris A. Cruze.
Chalmer was retired from the U.S. Air Force having served as an intelligence officer for over 40 years. He was a member of the Ansonia American Legion and the Greenville VFW.
He is survived by his children, Thomas S. Cruze of Ansonia, and Jeri A. (Harlen) Camacho of Greenville; grandsons, Chad (Becky) Curtis, and Benjamin (Abbie) Hawes; two great grandchildren, Nolan and Leah Curtis; and two sisters, Phyllis Caldwell of Greenville and Marjorie (Roger) Cox of Polaris, MT.
Services with full military honors by the Greenville Veterans Honor Guard will be held Monday, March 7, at 10:30 a.m. at the Oliver-Floyd Funeral Home in Greenville with Rev. Terry Haworth officiating. Burial will follow in the Abbottsville Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Sunday from 2-4 p.m. The family requests that memorial contributions be given to State of the Heart Hospice.