Donald "Don" Chapman
1936 - 2018
Donald "Don" Chapman
1936 - 2018
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Donald Chapman Obituary
Mamou/Ville Platte - Funeral services for Mr. Donald "Don" Chapman, 81, will be held at 2PM Thursday January 11, 2018 at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Mamou.
Mr. Chapman a resident of Eunice a native of Ville Platte passed away Sunday January 7, 2018 at his residence,
Don, left home at 17 after graduating from Ville Platte High School, to begin college in Hammond, leaving there to study voice under Harden Frank Church in Washington, DC. He then joined the US Airforce, becoming part of the Singing Sergeants for 8 years.
He made his opera debut in Mantua, Italy in 1967. Moving to Coburg, Germany in 1971, he became the resident singer at the Opera House , and was a member of the National Theater in Manneheim, Germany.
He then moved to New York and began working at CitiBank, until 1987, then returning to Louisiana, where he gained certification to teach French in elementary and high school, teaching for ten years in the St. Landry School system.
After his retirement from the school system, he became active in the Eunice Little Theater. True to his love of music Donald became the choir director at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Eunice, then Our Lady Queen of all Saints Catholic Church in Ville Platte, and presently at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Mamou.
He will be missed by many, and remebered by his nieces and nephews Joyce Miller Coreil, Jackie Miller Ballard, Kermit W. Miller, Oliva Miller Dodd, Chris Ellen Vidrine, Norwood Landreneau, Susan Vidrine Lowrey, Marlene Vidrine Barrilleaux, David Chatman, many great nieces and nephews, and his beloved cat Daphne.
He is preceded in death by his parents Arthelon Chapman and Avey Manuel Pitre Chapman Soileau, brother Darius Chapman, sisters Lilly Landreneau-Heinen, Joyce Chapman Miller, Grace Pitre Vidrine.
Visitation will begin Thursday January 11, 2018 from 9AM until 1:30PM in the LaVille Funeral Home Chapel, with a rosary being recited at 10:30AM by Sheila Miller.
The guestbook can be signed online at www.lavillefuneralhome.net
LaVille Funeral Home, 2353 East Main St. Ville Platte, LA 70586
(337 363 1100)
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
January 14, 2018
DON, You are alive in my heart and of all who knew you. We cherish our time with you. Your friendship , kindness, loyalty, and sharing of your splendid musical gifts will be remembered and dearly missed. Love your New York friend Barbara Ryan.
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January 12, 2018
Sympathy to the family of such a fine man. His beautiful voice was heard at so many venues. He sang at my mother's funeral, his relative, Ollie. MARY MADELINE FUSILIER HARRISON
John Lundsten
January 10, 2018
Farewell and Rest In Peace my good friend and colleague of many years past. I know that the last years you have been able to share with your Louisiana family and friends were so fulfilling after the first decades bringing your terrific voice and personality to so many of us in NY and in Europe. I look forward to sharing with them some of my personal "Tales of Donald" in the months ahead, and I am so glad you were able to continue sharing your terrific voice with them right up through the Holidays this year. Love and Condolences to everyone in Ville Platte, Eunice, and Lake Charles in particular, and to our mutual great friend, Linda Sklaren who is bringing our personal greetings to the service on Thursday.
John Lundsten
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2353 E. Main St., Ville Platte, LA 70586
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