1923
Fern
2017
Fern Bertha Chapman
March 7, 1923 — March 17, 2017
CHAPMAN, FERN BERTHA
Of Portage, MI
Fern Bertha Chapman, age 94, passed away March 17, 2017 at Medilodge of Kalamazoo. Fern was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother. Whether caring for her family, cooking and entertaining in her home, traveling or spending time at the family cabin up north, Fern enjoyed each day of her life. From her birth in 1923 to her death in 2017, her life was filled with the happiness that comes from knowing she lived her life in the best way possible. Fern was born on March 7, 1923 in Lee Township (just North of Albion), Michigan. John and Louise (Pagel) Sommer were delighted to welcome their new baby, and in later years, Fern would be part of a lively and active family that included four children.
She attended Marshall High School, and it was here that she met her sweetheart and future husband, Raymond H. Chapman - thanks to her mother. Fern was in the 9th grade and Ray was in the 11th. Fern's mother had made arrangements for her daughter to ride back and forth to school with Ray. Ray transferred to Homer High School for the 12th grade. But fate has a way of stepping in and moving things along. In February of 1939, Fern attended a dance with her parents, and lo and behold, handsome Ray Chapman was there. When the dance was over, Ray drove Fern home once again, but this time he was in love. On November 1, 1939, Fern and Ray, along with Ray's best friend, Robert Smith and his girlfriend, eloped to Defiance, Ohio, perhaps an appropriately named place for what they were doing. Ray had no job and they intended to keep the marriage a secret until Fern graduated. It didn't work out that way, but Ray redeemed himself by making sure Fern graduated from high school with her class in 1940. A year later they started their family when son Jim was born on September 18, 1941. Brother Terry joined the family on March 30, 1943 and nine years later on March 5, 1952, a third son, Gary was born. The country was in the midst of World War II and Ray joined the Navy, with Ray heading for the Philippines, where he bravely served with the Seabees. With his discharge in 1946, Fern and Ray settled in the Battle Creek area, where they had made their home. Seeing a new prospect in Grand Haven, the Chapman's moved there for several years. Always looking for ways to better their family, Fern and Ray moved the family to Portage.
In 1980, Ray retired from "real work", and he and Fern started a flea market stand. They had great fun selling "treasures" to people in Paw Paw, Shipshewana, and even Florida. In 1977, Fern and Ray bought 80 acres of land in Bitely, Michigan, in Newaygo County. This land had been in Ray's family since 1908 and it became their "home away from home". Fern always accompanied Ray to the cabin, and the two of them fished all over the area. Fern and Ray often traveled to Florida to visit with Ray's siblings. This took them to Avon Park, St. Cloud and Sebring. When home, they worked in their wonderful vegetable garden. Ray loved tending the pickles, tomatoes and beans, which Fern would can for later delicious meals. It was tradition for the two of them to play cards every night. In fact, Ray would have played cards all the time, if Fern had let him. When they were younger, dancing was a favorite pastime, and they were well known at the local dance halls. Since 1988 Fern had been a member of the Lord of Life Lutheran Church.
On May 26, 2004, Fern was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years Raymond Howard Chapman. She was also preceded in death by her parents, all of her siblings, her son and daughter in law Terry and Sharon Chapman, two grandsons Brent Chapman and Kent Chapman, a granddaughter Jill Chapman. Surviving are Fern's two sons and their spouses, Jim (Susie) Chapman of Indian Lake and Gary (Connie) Chapman of Vicksburg; a daughter-in law Tina; grandchildren Charles (Joree) Chapman, Dale (Kim) Chapman, Rebekah (Nathanial) Foster, Elizabeth "Liz" Chapman, Tammy (Scott) Coates, Sean (Stephanie) McDonald, Adam (Sue) McDonald, and Jason (JoDawna) McDonald; great-grandchildren Nick Mills, Tristen Chapman, Jacob McDonald, Collen McDonald, Ian McDonald, Brenna McDonald, Ethan McDonald, Justin McDonald, Terry McDonald, Sydney McDonald and Natalie McDonald; great-great-grandchildren Adrianne Chapman, Jax Chapman and twin boys Aries McDonald and Julian McDonald; and many nieces, nephews and special friends.
Friends may visit with Fern's family on Wednesday, March 22nd from 10:00AM to 11:00AM at the Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 9420 Portage Road, where a service to celebrate Fern's life will begin at 11:00AM Wednesday with Pastor Joan Herbon officiating. Immediately following the service will be a time of food and fellowship in the church hall. A private burial will take place on Thursday in Fort Custer National Cemetery. Please visit Fern's memory page at www.langelands.com where you can share a favorite memory, order flowers or make a memorial donation in her memory to the Lord of Life Lutheran Church.
**MEMORIALS**
Lord of Life Lutheran Church
9420 Portage Rd.
Portage, MI 49002
269-327-6565
www.lutheransonline.com
9420 Portage Rd.
Portage, MI, US, 49002
9420 Portage Rd.
Portage, MI, US, 49002
Of Portage, MI
Fern Bertha Chapman, age 94, passed away March 17, 2017 at Medilodge of Kalamazoo. Fern was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother. Whether caring for her family, cooking and entertaining in her home, traveling or spending time at the family cabin up north, Fern enjoyed each day of her life. From her birth in 1923 to her death in 2017, her life was filled with the happiness that comes from knowing she lived her life in the best way possible. Fern was born on March 7, 1923 in Lee Township (just North of Albion), Michigan. John and Louise (Pagel) Sommer were delighted to welcome their new baby, and in later years, Fern would be part of a lively and active family that included four children.
She attended Marshall High School, and it was here that she met her sweetheart and future husband, Raymond H. Chapman - thanks to her mother. Fern was in the 9th grade and Ray was in the 11th. Fern's mother had made arrangements for her daughter to ride back and forth to school with Ray. Ray transferred to Homer High School for the 12th grade. But fate has a way of stepping in and moving things along. In February of 1939, Fern attended a dance with her parents, and lo and behold, handsome Ray Chapman was there. When the dance was over, Ray drove Fern home once again, but this time he was in love. On November 1, 1939, Fern and Ray, along with Ray's best friend, Robert Smith and his girlfriend, eloped to Defiance, Ohio, perhaps an appropriately named place for what they were doing. Ray had no job and they intended to keep the marriage a secret until Fern graduated. It didn't work out that way, but Ray redeemed himself by making sure Fern graduated from high school with her class in 1940. A year later they started their family when son Jim was born on September 18, 1941. Brother Terry joined the family on March 30, 1943 and nine years later on March 5, 1952, a third son, Gary was born. The country was in the midst of World War II and Ray joined the Navy, with Ray heading for the Philippines, where he bravely served with the Seabees. With his discharge in 1946, Fern and Ray settled in the Battle Creek area, where they had made their home. Seeing a new prospect in Grand Haven, the Chapman's moved there for several years. Always looking for ways to better their family, Fern and Ray moved the family to Portage.
In 1980, Ray retired from "real work", and he and Fern started a flea market stand. They had great fun selling "treasures" to people in Paw Paw, Shipshewana, and even Florida. In 1977, Fern and Ray bought 80 acres of land in Bitely, Michigan, in Newaygo County. This land had been in Ray's family since 1908 and it became their "home away from home". Fern always accompanied Ray to the cabin, and the two of them fished all over the area. Fern and Ray often traveled to Florida to visit with Ray's siblings. This took them to Avon Park, St. Cloud and Sebring. When home, they worked in their wonderful vegetable garden. Ray loved tending the pickles, tomatoes and beans, which Fern would can for later delicious meals. It was tradition for the two of them to play cards every night. In fact, Ray would have played cards all the time, if Fern had let him. When they were younger, dancing was a favorite pastime, and they were well known at the local dance halls. Since 1988 Fern had been a member of the Lord of Life Lutheran Church.
On May 26, 2004, Fern was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years Raymond Howard Chapman. She was also preceded in death by her parents, all of her siblings, her son and daughter in law Terry and Sharon Chapman, two grandsons Brent Chapman and Kent Chapman, a granddaughter Jill Chapman. Surviving are Fern's two sons and their spouses, Jim (Susie) Chapman of Indian Lake and Gary (Connie) Chapman of Vicksburg; a daughter-in law Tina; grandchildren Charles (Joree) Chapman, Dale (Kim) Chapman, Rebekah (Nathanial) Foster, Elizabeth "Liz" Chapman, Tammy (Scott) Coates, Sean (Stephanie) McDonald, Adam (Sue) McDonald, and Jason (JoDawna) McDonald; great-grandchildren Nick Mills, Tristen Chapman, Jacob McDonald, Collen McDonald, Ian McDonald, Brenna McDonald, Ethan McDonald, Justin McDonald, Terry McDonald, Sydney McDonald and Natalie McDonald; great-great-grandchildren Adrianne Chapman, Jax Chapman and twin boys Aries McDonald and Julian McDonald; and many nieces, nephews and special friends.
Friends may visit with Fern's family on Wednesday, March 22nd from 10:00AM to 11:00AM at the Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 9420 Portage Road, where a service to celebrate Fern's life will begin at 11:00AM Wednesday with Pastor Joan Herbon officiating. Immediately following the service will be a time of food and fellowship in the church hall. A private burial will take place on Thursday in Fort Custer National Cemetery. Please visit Fern's memory page at www.langelands.com where you can share a favorite memory, order flowers or make a memorial donation in her memory to the Lord of Life Lutheran Church.
**MEMORIALS**
Lord of Life Lutheran Church
9420 Portage Rd.
Portage, MI 49002
269-327-6565
www.lutheransonline.com
Visitation
MAR 22. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Lord of Life Lutheran Church9420 Portage Rd.
Portage, MI, US, 49002
Celebration of Life and Luncheon
MAR 22. 11:00 AM
Lord of Life Lutheran Church9420 Portage Rd.
Portage, MI, US, 49002
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