Thomas P. Chapman

Thomas P. Chapman, age 77, of Marshall, died Friday, September 26, 2008 at his home. Tom was born Dec. 6, 1930 in Marshall to Howard and Harriet (Brown) Chapman. He grew up in Marshall and graduated from Marshall High School in 1948. He attended Western Michigan University. Tom enlisted in the U.S. Air Force , serving during the Korean War . He was stationed in England and South Africa. He resided in Langley, VA and Smyrna, TN before returning to Marshall. He lived here and worked at Kellogg Company in Battle Creek until 1969. That year he moved to Ft. Myers, FL where he worked in Motel Management in Naples and Marco Island. In the early 1970’s Tom changed career paths and became an over the road truck driver which he did until his retirement. He moved from Florida to Michigan in 1984 and lived there until returning to Marshall this year. Tom was married to Shirley J. Church for 32 years. He enjoyed time with family and friends most in life. Tom was an adventurous soul, who held a private pilot’s license, skydived and enjoyed motorcycle riding. He enjoyed travel and camping. His job as a truck driver took him to every state in the union except Alaska and Hawaii. Surviving are his son, Thomas A. (Valarie) Chapman of Cape Coral,FL; 2 daughters, Diane Chapman Caplinger of Nobleville, IN and Debra Chapman (Robert) Paxton of Ft. Myers, FL; grandchildren Shannon (Brian) Wilson, Ryan Hall, Justin (Hope) McPherson, Mason McPherson and Tucker Paxton; a great-grandson Eli Thomas Wilson; his brother Charles “Chuck” (Phyllis) Chapman of Marshall; his sisters Isabelle Blakeslee of Marshall and Miriam “Mannie” Anderson of Cincinnati, OH; his longtime companion Lois Lawrence of Marshall and her children Karen (Bob) Burghdorf, Connie (Kirk) Brummeler, Gene Lawrence and their children whom were Tom’s grandchildren also; and many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by brothers John “Jack” Chapman, James Chapman, and Robert Chapman , his grandson Chris VanNess, and Lois’ son Craig Lawrence. There will be no public visitation. Graveside services will be held at St. Mary Cemetery with Chaplin James Codde officiating on Tuesday at 11AM . Military honors will be afforded by the U.S. Air Force. Friends who wish may make memorials to Borgess Visiting Nurses. Assistance with memorials is available at Kempf Funeral Home.