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1933
2013
On September 11, 2013, Donald L. Chapin, 80, peacefully left his earthly home. He was the sixth child born to Myrtle Irene (Snow) and Foy Percy Chapin in Elba, CO.
The Chapin family moved to Weldona in 1938. Don attended school in Weldona. He married Gertie Morris on June 10, 1956. He joined the National Guard in 1950 and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1951. Don served in the Korean Conflict with the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific Equipment Operation, and the First 155 mm Howitzer Battalion. During his service, he received the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged in December, 1954 with the rank of Sergeant. He earned his GED in the service and was honored with a high school diploma with the Weldon Valley graduating class of 2006.
Don was a member of the VFW #2551 and the Orchard I.O.O.F. Lodge. He was selected as Honorary Farmer of the Weldon Valley FFA. He was a 50 + year member of the Morgan County and Colorado Farm Bureau, and served on the county board of directors for 20 years including serving as county president. In 1984, Don received the Morgan County Farm Bureau Service to Agriculture Award. He has been a dairyman and farmer on the home farm since 1955. Don has been a member of the Denver Milk Producers, Mountain Empire Dairy Association, Western Dairy Farmers Cooperative Association (now known as Dairy Farmers of America), and a member of the Colorado Holstein Association. He was honored in 2013 as a 40 year member of the Holstein Association USA.
In his teen years, he saddle broke horses for neighbors. He trained and rode his horse, "Smokey" for 25 years. He loved to spend time with his family and his cows.
Survivors include his wife, Gertie; children, A. Foy Chapin and his wife, Cindy, of Weldona, Craig Chapin of LaPorte, Leianne Stinton and her husband, Carter, of Sherwood, OR, and Vivianne Lorenzini and her husband, Rick, of Weldona; grandchildren, Joe Lorenzini of Denver, Missey and Nick Trim and Ryen of Severance, Foy H. and Audra Chapin and Foy G. Snyder, Tiffany and Richard Thompson and Jasmyn and Jayden, Cole and Meredith Chapin and Joel, Cami and Zach Lozier and Evy, all of Weldona, Captain Anthony and Katie Stinton and Julia of Colorado Springs, Carlee and Dan Bolthouse and Kane of Beaverton, OR; his sister, Mary Jane Riffey of Diamond Springs, CA; and his brother, Jerry Chapin and his wife, Janie, of Maysville, KY. He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, Gerald, Gene, and Bobby; 2 sisters, Betty Hoosier Pendergraft and Joann LaDu; and 1 grandson, Zachery Roy Chapin.
Funeral services will be Monday, September 16, at 11:00 a.m. at the the High Plains Livestock Sale Barn in Brush at 28601 Highway 34, which is on the east side of town. Military honors will follow the service. The service will conclude at the church. Visitation will be at the Heer Mortuary Chapel in Fort Morgan on Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. Friends who wish may make memorial gifts to the Colorado Holstein Association Youth Scholarship Fund, c/o the Heer Mortuary.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
5 Entries
Foy and family;
My thoughts and prayer to you in the loss of your father. I have lots of fond memories of him on the dairy farms when we were kids growing up in the Valley. God Bless you all...
Janet (Lissolo) Tomasello
September 22, 2013
Gertie and family, Just now learned of your loss, and my prayers are with all of you. There isn't much one can say to ease the pain, but please find comfort in knowing that others care and that Don was so well thought of by those who knew him. God Bless and comfort you.
Florence Halley
September 17, 2013
Don was a very fine person and will be missed by all that knew him. He was a major contributor to the success of Weldon Valley. Best wishes to all members of his family.
R. J. Warren
September 16, 2013
Craig and family; my most sincere condolences on the passing of your father. In addition to his important role in the agricultural community in Morgan County, also important and impressive was his militay service. Sincerely, Greg Bruny.
Greg Bruny
September 16, 2013
Hi Gertie and Family, I wanted to let you know Alan and I were planning on attending the funeral. We both took Monday off from work. As the flooding progressed we decided no to try and make the trip as we both needed to be home by Tuesday morning. I was really sad not to be able to attend and see everyone. Please give all that remember me a hello and tell them I was thinking of all the Chapin Family. God Bless.
Warmest Regards, Rosemary Gronsten Jaeger
Rosemary Gronsten Jaeger
September 16, 2013
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Funeral services provided by:
Heer Mortuaries & Crematory - Fort Morgan225 E. Platte Ave., Fort Morgan, CO 80701
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