David D. Chapman

MIFFLINBURG — David D. Chapman, 58, of 22 S. 11th St., passed away Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2007, at Evangelical Community Hospital, Lewisburg.

It is not the way a man dies that is of consequence, but consideration may be due for the way he lived. Dave Chapman lived a noteworthy life. It is said he had "a way." A way of making an emergency seem a little less dire. A way of patience and consistency when a need was great and prolonged. A way of conversing with a person that communicated he was with you, and that was the most important place he could be at the moment. A way of disarming the hostile, calming those out of control, and lightening the burden of the weary. Most importantly, he had a way of knowing what was right, locking onto this truth, holding his ground and dragging the rest of us to a higher level of fairness, justice and awareness of others.

Dave would want it to be known foremost that he lived a life which followed the footsteps of Christ. Though he would be slow to utter such a claim, it was through his actions he stated it to all he encountered. He was a family man, born in Ashland, but a graduate of Mifflinburg Area High School. He was true to his wife, to his mother and to his boys. It was his pleasure to help from afar when requested, and hop in the truck and be off when called upon. His family knew that his steadfast love always made Dave a consistent servant and leader.

Though his good works pale in comparison to his faith and his character, it was through his efforts that he reached into the lives of many. He owned and operated an insurance agency in Mifflinburg for 21 years; he attended Buffalo Valley Church of the Brethren; he was a past member of Mifflinburg Church of the Nazarene; and he was past president of the Mifflinburg Little League, in which he began the T-ball program, the Mifflinburg Kiwanis Club and Family Health Council of Harrisburg. He served on the board of directors of SUM Child Development, Family Health Council of Harrisburg and Mifflinburg Church of the Nazarene. He died a public servant as the mayor of Mifflinburg.

Dave Chapman will be missed. Surviving him are his loving wife, Dottie Chapman, his mother, Doris Chapman, as well as his children and their families: Ken Chapman, Doug and Jenn Chapman, and Joe, Shonda, Josiah and Quincy Chapman.

A service celebrating and remembering his life will be held at 11 a.m. today at Buffalo Valley Church of the Brethren, west of Mifflinburg. The service will be followed by a luncheon provided by the church family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Dave's alma mater, Eastern Nazarene College, mailed to 22 S. 11th St., Mifflinburg, PA 17844.

Arrangements are by the Roupp Funeral Home Inc., 8594 Old Turnpike Road, Mifflinburg.