Christian Biography of Ward Chapman

Ward LeRoy Chapman, the son of Jake and Dorothy (Doll) Chapman, was born on September 25, 1936 in Fairfield, Nebraska. He passed away on March 26, 2012 at Brodstone Memorial Hospital, Superior, Nebraska at the age of 75 years, 6 months, 1 day.

Ward was one of three children. He was baptized on May 25, 1947 at First Christian Church in Nelson by Pastor JW Kennedy. Ward attended school in Nelson and graduated from Nelson High School in Nelson, Nebraska.

After graduating Ward enlisted with the United States Army on July 23, 1958 and was honorably discharged on July 22, 1960 serving as Military Police at Ft. Carson where he was stationed. At the end of his military service he was united in marriage to Georgianna Wray McDaniel on April 3, 1960 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and to this union a son and daughter was born.

They lived in Nelson where Ward was a meat cutter at the family grocery store Chapmen’s IGA. He later was employed with the United States Postal Service serving in the Nelson and Hastings Post Offices. Ward became Postmaster in the Nelson Post office in March of 1985 retiring in December of 1999.

He was a member of the Nelson Community United Church of Christ serving as chairman of the Board. He enjoyed being a part of the Nelson Community Theatre with his character being “Grandpa” with the Bunkhouse Boys. He also served as Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts. One of his highlights was canoeing in Canada and eating fish eyed soup. He enjoyed visiting with family and friends, golfing, his dog and cat and feeding the birds.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jake & Dorothy.

He is survived by his wife Georgianna of Nelson, son David Chapman of Hastings, Nebraska and daughter Kimberly Parnell and husband Rodney of Panama, Nebraska; three grandchildren: Jake Parnell and wife Ellen, Zach Parnell and wife Ashley, and Samantha Parnell; three great grandchildren Kyleena, Conner & Brian Parnell; one brother Bruce Chapman and wife Rose Marie of Superior, Nebraska, sister Brenda Lynch of Nora, Nebraska, and sister-in-law Pat Nettie of Colorado Springs, Colorado; nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 10:00 AM from the Nelson Community United Church of Christ in Nelson, Nebraska with Rev. Dr. Stephen Berry officiating. Eulogy was given by Lynn Jester.

Music was “He,” “Why Me Lord,” and “In The Garden,” with music provided by Tom Jensen and Stephanie Thayer and recorded bagpipe music “Amazing Grace.”

Book signing only from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM the casket will be closed per family wishes.

Pallbearers were Val Bohaty, Fred Jester, Don Strobl, Jake Parnell, Zach Parnell and Samantha Parnell. Honorary Pallbearers were Jim Tryon, Dale Uhrmacher, Roger Williams and Ron Fryda.

Interment with Full Military Honors was in the Nelson Cemetery at Nelson, Nebraska.

Memorials are suggested to the Nelson Community United Church of Christ or the Elk Creek Country Club.

Condolences may be sent to Klawitter-Price Funeral Home, 446 South Main St., Nelson, Nebraska 68961 or in care of www.pricefuneralhomes.com.

Klawitter-Price Funeral Home of Nelson, Nebraska was in charge of the arrangements.