Alan H. Chapel

1937 - 2022

Alan Harvey Chapel, age 85 of Grand Haven, passed away on Sunday, November 6, 2022, at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was born on July 20, 1937, in Muskegon, Michigan, to the late Harvey and Helen (Beluzar) Chapel.

Alan was part of the first graduating class of Muskegon Catholic Central High School. He then went on to proudly serve his country in the U.S. Army in Landstuhl, Germany, where he met his soon-to-be wife, Carol Fretwell. Alan and Carol were married July 14, 1962, in Waukegan, Illinois. Alan then graduated from Muskegon Community College with his engineering degree.

Alan was a member of St. Patrick – St. Anthony Catholic Church and the American Legion Charles A. Conklin Post 28. He started his career with E.H. Sheldon in Muskegon, and then at Michigan Plastics, serving as head of engineering. He then worked with E.P.C. for several years, prior to founding Grand Haven Plastics Inc. in 1983, where he continued as president until his retirement in 2010.

Locally, Alan served on the North Ottawa Community Hospital board representing Grand Haven Township, and served on the board of the Muskegon Catholic Education Foundation, and was also a member of the Grand Haven Rotary Club. Alan received many awards during his lifetime, including the Chamber of Commerce 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award and the United Way Night of 100 "Stars" Award in 1999 and 2004. He was also the co-founder of the Decorating Division of Society of Plastic Engineers. Alan has supported Love in Action, United Way, The Salvation Army, American Cancer Society, Hospice, D.A.R.E, St. Patrick – St. Anthony's Catholic Church and the Tri-Cities Historical Museum.

Alan was an avid Notre Dame fan who enjoyed spending time with his family, participating in fishing tournaments, hunting, traveling, and wintering in Florida. He was a supporter of Whitetail Unlimited and the National Turkey Federation, and served as past president of Ducks Unlimited.

Alan is lovingly remembered and missed by his loving wife of 60 years, Carol; daughter, Tammy (Paul) Christiansen, grandson, Bradley (Jenna), great-grandchild, Ella, grandsons, Ryan (Danielle) and Alex (Alyson); his son, Karl (Tanya) Chapel, grandchildren: Madison, Mia, Matthew, great-grandchild, Maisyn; his son, Bob (Karen) Chapel, grandchildren, Paige and Connor; brother, Ronald Chapel; brothers-in-law, Robert and James (Marge) Fretwell; and several nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Catholic Burial for Alan will take place at 12 p.m. Friday, November 11, 2022, at St. Patrick – St. Anthony Catholic Parish with Father Charles Schwartz officiating, with full military honors, American Legion Charles A. Conklin Post 28. Visitation will be held Thursday, November 10, 2022, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Klaassen Family Funeral Home, with a reading of the Rosary at 7:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to Hospice of North Ottawa Community, the American Cancer Society, or St. Patrick – St. Anthony Catholic Parish. Please visit www.klaassenfuneralhome.com to sign Alan's online guestbook.