Dorothy M. Chapman, 98, of Mount Carmel, passed away on Monday, February 26, 2018, at Gibson General Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Mount Carmel on Saturday, January 31, 1920, the daughter of Paul George and Clella (Alka) Ewald. On Saturday, June 23, 1945, she married Stanley Courter Chapman, and he preceded her in death.
Dorothy was a lifelong Christian, first at Maud Christian Church, then at First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ in Mount Carmel. She was a long time member of the diaconate, Sunday school and Bible school teacher for many years, and was the President of her Christian Women’s Fellowship Circle. Dorothy also served as treasurer of the State Christian Women’s Fellowship. Additionally, she was a camp counselor at Camp Walter Scott.
She was a Regent of Mount Carmel Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, President of the Mount Carmel Woman’s Club, member of Chapter FK, P.E.O., The Edelweiss Club, The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, and Magna Charta Dames. Dorothy was a past president of Maud Household Science Club, the first science club in Illinois. After the death of her husband, she served for many years as secretary on the Board of Directors of Community Natural Gas Co., Inc., based in Southern Indiana - a company founded by her husband.
Dorothy attended Eastern Illinois University and received her teaching certificate, after which, she was a second-grade teacher in the Wabash County Schools. Dorothy was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She will be remembered for her deep love and commitment to her family. She was a lifelong learner, always reading or playing her piano. She was a lover of animals and enjoyed traveling, gardening, and cooking.
Left to cherish Dorothy’s memories are her three daughters Doris Anne and her husband George F. Beckerman; Gayle Marie and her husband Larry K. Conrady; and Marilyn Kay and her husband Gary W. Bellessa, all of Mount Carmel. She is survived by three grandchildren Kristin and her husband Brian Deverman; Miriam and her husband Eric Helton; and John and his wife Lorraine Ostanik Bellessa; and three great grandchildren Kenton, Brant and Katelyn Deverman; sister-in-law, Emily Ewald and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Stanley, and brother Paul G. Ewald, Jr.
A visitation will be on Saturday, March 10, at the First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, 803 N. Market Street, Mount Carmel, from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. The funeral service will follow at the church at 3:00 p.m. with burial following at Highland Memorial Cemetery.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of contributions to the First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ Memorial Fund. Envelopes will be available at the church or at Short Funeral Home.
The family would like to thank the dedicated and amazing employees of Gibson General Hospital’s Skilled Nursing Facility, Southern Care Hospice, and Dorothy’s private caregivers.
Condolences may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com
Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve Dorothy’s family.
