Gerald "Jerry" Chappell

Gerald "Jerry" Chappell

Waupaca - Gerald (Jerry) Eugene Chappell, 86 years of age, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at Theda Care Hospital in Waupaca, Wisconsin. Jerry was born February 16, 1932 in Ravenna, Ohio. His parents were Walter and Mildred Chappell. Jerry had an identical twin brother, Richard, who passed away in 1998. Jerry and his brother were veterans of the Korean War. Jerry's adventures in the Korean War are told in a book that he co-authored with brother Richard titled Corpsmen: Letters from Korea, published by The Kent State University Press. Upon discharge from the Navy Jerry began studies at Kent State University and received a degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology, and three years later a graduate degree in the same field which allowed him to teach college. In 1967 Jerry accepted a professor position at the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point. With this job came the ambitious assignment of starting up the new Department of Communicative Disorders, an area of study and department that has grown considerably over the years and produced many fine clinicians. Ironically, towards the end of Jerry's life as he recovered from a series of small strokes, he himself received speech therapy from a clinician who had graduated from the very program that he had once started.

Jerry married Christine Cook, his college sweetheart in 1958. They celebrated their 60th wedding aniversary on June 14, 2018. Together they produced three children, seven grandchildren, and also two great grandchildren. In 2004 Jerry and Chris moved to Waupaca, Wisconsin. They chose Waupaca for what it offered in the way of a relaxing community to enjoy the remaining years of their retirement. Once settled in Waupaca they joined the congregation at Parfreyville United Methodist Church in Waupaca. Jerry had contributed several articles to the church LINK. He also labeled some fellowship gathering friends as "The Nice Guys".

Jerry loved to indulge himself in writing projects on his computer. Whether it be short stories, plays, summaries of family events, local history topics, and even attempts at novels, Jerry kept hard at work on his computer. Many of his articles about local history and Native American lore were published in the Waupaca County Post, the Waupaca Historical Society News Letter, etc. Jerry documented the history of the UW Department of Communicative Disorders, and in another document the history of Bethany Home. His most recent publication that he had just completed before his death was the History of Potato Farming in Wisconsin. Copies of this book can be found at the Waupaca Historical Society. Sometimes when the family got together for holidays Jerry would have one of his plays ready to perform as a group read, and he would delegate out the different parts, regardless of whether or not the performers were prepared. This opportunity to test our thespian skills was always a fun challenge for everyone, even though few of us held aspirations for Broadway.

Jerry was also a sports enthusiast -he loved sports!- and paid close attention to the Packers, Badgers, and also Pointers teams. Jerry himself kept physically active through the years. He loved to ski, snow shoe, play tennis, hike, bike, and jog. He told stories about how he and his good friend Dan Fabiano were two of the first people in Stevens Point to jog for "exercise". "People would see us coming down the street and wonder what we were running from!" Jerry was well known for a great sense of humor. Watching movies was another one of Jerry's favorite past times, one that all three of his children would inherit. Often during family gatherings the conversation would turn to cinema, who has seen what and when. Jerry's wife Chris would refer to this as "the Chappell gene" and withdraw all responsibility.

Jerry donated money to organizations that he supported, and volunteered in the community to improve the lives of others. He never took his own good fortune for granted, and loved spending time with family, laughing and always wearing a smile on his face. He was a loving and caring person, devoted husband, father, and friend, always thinking of others first. Jerry leaves to cherish his loving memory his beloved wife Chris of 60 years, his son Steve (Kathleen), his daughter Cyndi (Rob), son Scott, seven grandchildren, Scotty, Noah, Zachary (Diana), Anya, Branden, Cody, and Jessica, and also two great grandchildren, Ryden, and Shaylynne, and a host of nieces, nephews, brother and sister-in-laws, and friends.

Memorial Service will be held at 4:00 pm on Saturday, July 21st at Parfreyville United Methodist Church in Waupaca. Rev. Eric Taylor is officiating. Visitation will be held from 2:00 pm until time of service at the Church. Military honors will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in Gerald's name. Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences available at www.hollyfuneralhome.com