Paul Chapman Jr.

PAUL L. "CHIP" CHAPMAN JR.

Clarence

Paul L. "Chip" Chapman Jr., 72, died Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, at his home. Visitation will be at the family funeral home in Clarence on Sunday, Aug. 7, from 2 to 6 p.m., with a Masonic service at 6. Funeral services will be at St. John's United Church of Christ in Clarence at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 8, with Pastor Tommi Boeder doing all the talking. Private family burial will be in St. John's Cemetery.

Chip was born April 2, 1944, to Paul Sr. and Iva Lavonne Olson Chapman in Cedar Rapids. He talked Karla Schneider into marrying him on April 6, 1963. He graduated from Clarence High School in 1962 and attended the University of Iowa for one year. From there he went to the Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science, graduating in 1965. He worked at the family business until purchasing it from his parents in 1977, and retired in 2011 after selling the business to his son, although every day making sure things were done right.

Surviving Chip are his wife, Karla; his favorite son, Dan and wife Gretchen of Clarence; daughters, Jodi and husband Ken Henke of Norwalk and her sister Lori and husband Todd Miller of Tipton. Also surviving are grandchildren, Ben, Kiley and Blake Chapman, Nathan and Michaela Henke and Grace and Ty Nichols.

Chip was an active person. He was a member of the Iowa Funeral Directors Association (50 years), the National Funeral Directors Association, Clarence Telephone board, Clarence Economic Development board, Clarence Community Foundation, Stanwood Masonic Lodge, Lowden 3/30 Club, Tipton Country Club and St. John's United Church of Christ. He was a former member of the Clarence Lions (serving as president from 1981 to 1982) and a former church council member, also serving as president.

Golfing and fishing were two of Chip's favorite things and he had a blast doing each one. He actively enjoyed his son's 30-year racing career and became a "chassis expert" during that time, and recently got to watch his grandson in his racing endeavors. Paul was an active bowler in his younger years. He sponsored a team on a night league, and he and Karla were on a couple's league, which led to them getting out of doing dishes at many family events! We can't forget that he was the infamous "curtain puller" for Twinkle Toes Dancers. Chip may have complained about going to all of his grandkids' sporting events or concerts, but he did enjoy it and was proud of them all. He also was an avid Hawkeye fan and supporter. Although stating he wasn't going back many times, he always did.

In lieu of flowers, because Chip carried his fair share of those, please direct memorials to St. John's UCC, the Clarence Community Foundation or Friends of the Animals.

Online condolences may be sent to www.chapmanfh.com.