Marilyn Ruth Chappell

1926 - 2026

Marilyn Ruth (Brackmann) Chappell, age 99, of Greenfield, passed away Friday, March 6, 2026, at Hancock Regional Hospital, eleven days before her 100th birthday. She was born in Fort Wayne on March 17, 1926, to Fred and Leona (Hockemeyer) Brackmann. She graduated from Southside High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Marilyn received her Registered Nurses degree from Indiana University in 1948. She married Harold R. Chappell on June 11, 1949, in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

After working for a year at St. Joseph's Hospital in Ft. Wayne, Marilyn spent many years as a wife, mother, homemaker and volunteer for many organizations as she moved around the country following Harold as he served as a military doctor. She enjoyed reading, playing bridge, cooking, and needlework-especially counted cross stitch. She volunteered at the Cancer Center at Watauga County Hospital in Boone, North Carolina, for many years. She moved to Greenfield in 2005 where she made and donated baby blankets to Hancock Regional Hospital, knit and donated prayer shawls, led exercise classes at the Senior Center, and sang with the Community Choir for a short time.

She is survived by her daughter, Janet (Stephen) Burt; son, Thomas (Susie) Chappell; sisters-in-law, Carolyn Brackmann and Ann "Pete" Brackmann; three grandchildren, Christopher Burt, Craig (Emily) Burt, and Sean (Malarie) Chappell; and four great-grandchildren, Kale, Maddox, Quentin, and Claire. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Leona Brackmann; husband, Harold Chappell; brothers, Milton Brackmann, Edward Brackmann, and Ronald Brackmann; sister, Marcella Bostelman; sister-in-law, Doris Brackmann; and brother-in-law, Arthur Bostelman.

Memorial Gathering will be held on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Bradley United Methodist Church, 210 W. Main St., Greenfield, IN 46140. A Celebration of Marilyn's Life with a Nurse's Honor Guard Service will be held immediately following the gathering at 1:00 p.m. Pastor Steve McPeek will be officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made by mail to the Indiana University Florence Nightingale Scholarship, 420 University Blvd. Campus Center, Room 250, Indianapolis, IN 46202. Envelopes will be available at the church. Marilyn was very grateful for this scholarship as it made it possible for her to go to college.

Friends may share a memory or condolence at www.erleweinmortuary.com.

Arrangements are being handled by Erlewein Mortuary & Crematory in Greenfield.