by Kimberly A. Rinker

Crete, IL — Melvin L. Chupp, 83, father of longtime Chicago trainer-drivers Merv and Del Chupp, died Sept. 30, 2014, at Promedica Hospital in Toledo, Ohio.

Mr. Chupp, born Jan. 30, 1931, in Goshen, Ind., trained and drove Standardbreds for many years throughout the Midwest, including the Chicago tracks, Raceway Park and Fairmount Park. He was well-known for his ability to get along with hard-to-manage horses.

He first became involved with harness horses when he traded a pair of ponies for an old grey Standardbred and subsequently spent five decades earning his living from training and driving horses. He steered 596 winners to $763,630 and trained 196 trotters and pacers who earned $506,914.

He is survived by his sons, Merv and Del; and daughters, Marlene and Carol.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. with funeral services to follow on Monday (Oct. 6) at the Miller-Stewart Funeral Home, 1003 South Main Street, Middlebury, Ind.