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Chappell, WalterLee 'Walt'
Walter Lee “Walt” Chappell, 62, of Mechanicsville, died Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011, in the Iowa City VA Health Care System from an aggressive form of lung cancer. Walt's visitation will be Monday, Nov. 14, from 3 until 4 p.m. at Morgan Funeral Choices, Mount Vernon. Walt's funeral will be 4 p.m. Monday, at the chapel, with a light lunch to follow. Military honors by U.S. Army and Hahn-Howard American Legion Post 309, Mount Vernon. Walt is to be buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Mechanicsville.
Walter was born Jan. 3, 1949, in Mercy Hospital, Iowa City, the son of Harvey and LaVonne (Britcher) Chappell. He grew up on a farm and attended Olin, Marion (now Linn-Mar), Tipton and Lincoln Community schools. He loved his teen years in Mechanicsville.
Walter served in the U.S. Army from 1968-1970, with tours in Germany and Vietnam, and often talked about his Army life. He married Peggy (Brown) Hoffner on Feb. 12, 1972, in Mount Vernon and they had a daughter, Carmella. They later divorced.
Walt was a laborer for many years in Davenport before retiring due to health reasons and moving to the Veterans Home in Marshalltown, where he resided the last two years.
Survivors include his daughter, Carmella (Marty) Burns, Cedar Rapids; three stepsons, Richard (Karen) Hoffner Jr., Ely, Marlin Hoffner, Cedar Rapids, and Robert (Deb) Hoffner, Bradgate, Iowa; his mother, LaVonne, West Plains, Mo.; brother, David (Donna) Chappell, Mechanicsville; three sisters, Connie (Gene) Knutsen, Mechanicsville, Dorothy (Everett) Brown, Mountain View, Mo., snf Kathy (Ray) Croney, West Plains, Mo.; two grandchildren, Travis Chappell and Tricia Burns; one great-grandson, Dante Chappell; two special great-grandchildren, Evan Johnston and Jazmynn Burns, all of Cedar Rapids; two aunts, Alecia Meyers, Stanwood. and Elnora Webb, West Plains, Mo.; and several stepgrandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.
Walter was preceded in death by his father, Harvey in 1994; brother, Randy in 1957; maternal grandparents, Ed and Emma Meyers (Tipton), and paternal grandparents, Douglas and Melva Ruble (Springville); and former wife, Peggy.
A memorial fund in Walter's memory will be established.
Published Nov. 13, 2011, in The Gazette
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