Joseph “Joe”‘s Obituary JOE CHAPMAN May 14, 1927 – March 13, 2019 Joseph Harlan Chapman was born May 14, 1927, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Joe graduated at age 17 from Leo High School in 1944, then enlisted and served in the United States Navy during World War II, stationed at Hitchcock Naval Air Station, Texas. While there he met the love of his life, Jo Ann Hill, whom he married on June 24, 1950.
Soon after marrying, they were both diagnosed with significant medical difficulties (Joe with advanced ulcerative colitis, and Jo Ann with Muscular Sclerosis), and were invited to move to Ferris and live with Jo Ann’s grandmother, Stella Ann Batchler Jordan. Soon after their arrival, they both quickly became fixtures in the Ferris community. Joe’s business as a very respected custom homebuilder grew quickly, but he always purposely made time to actively give back to the community that welcomed the young marrieds with open arms.
That service to the City of Ferris included: Lions Club International: President, 1968, member 1954 to 2019. Ferris School Board: President, 1968, Member 1964-1973. Ferris Citizen of the Year: 1967-1968 Ferris Pioneer of the Year: 2014 Joe’s life-long commitment to the city of Ferris can be summed up by reading a plaque that was placed in 1997 on the Ferris Gazebo that he designed, built and donated for the Ferris Centennial in 1974.
It simply states: “This Gazebo is dedicated to Joe and Jo Ann Chapman, for their unselfish devotion to the City of Ferris. Thank you for never saying no! ” Joe was preceded in death by his beloved Jo Ann, and by his parents Harlan Jay and Mary Notestine Chapman.
Also by his brothers, sister-in-laws and sister: Harold Chapman and wife Rose; Howard Chapman and wife Pauline; and sister Mary Ethel and husband Allyn Pontius. He is survived by his grateful son Greg and daughter-in-law Sherie Chapman of Ferris; grandsons Jordan and James Chapman, grandsons Joshua Martin, Jordan Steele, and granddaughters Sarah and Hope Steele, plus numerous great-grandchildren, especially Paul and Logan. Joe is also survived by sister-in-law Carol and husband Fred Gernand, and nieces Rhonda Faye Donahue, and Gay Cowles and husband Kevin.
And nieces Susan Blaugh and Kathy Aschilman from Indiana, and other family and friends too numerous to mention. Visitation will be held Thursday, March 14 from 6 – 8 p.m., at the Ferris First United Methodist Church, I-45 at Redbud Drive. Funeral services will be held Friday, March 15, at 2 p.m., also at the Ferris First United Methodist Church, with internment to follow at Ferris Memorial Park North.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joe’s name either to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society of America and Lions Club International.
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