C. G. Chapin's Obituary
On Wednesday, August 6, 2014 C.G. Chapin, 88, went to be with his Lord. He was born June 8, 1926 at home in Mecosta County to Roy G. Chapin and Leola (Greyback) Chapin. He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Leona (Kempton) Chapin, two daughters, Barbara (Jim) Sturdevent of Amble and Janelle (Joseph) Blair of Horton, two sons, Craig of Amble and Wade (Lyndsey) of Sarasota, Florida. He is survived by one sister, Myla (Bill) Kickbusch of Rollo, MO. He is also survived by six step daughters, Deborah (Bruce) Geelhoed, Janet (Lyle) Ball, Charlene Kohl, Susan (Gary) Cone, Joellen (Jim) Anderson and Sandra (Brian Hatchew) Carey and one step son, Douglas (Cheri) Chapin. Twenty-five grandchildren: Janette, Cory, Chad, Robin, Maranda, Marc, Steven, Joel, Jerry, Johnathon, Jennifer, Rachel, Ryan, Shawn, Jason, Elizabeth, Benjamin, Samuel, Will, Zachary, Taylor, Elijah, Abram, Amanda and Zane, 39 great-grandchildren and one great, great-granddaughter. He is also survived by two sisters-in-laws, Carol Chapin and Leora Flynn.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife of 41 years, Jean in 1991, his brothers, Dan, Ray and Roy and sisters Fern and Maisie.
He graduated from Mecosta School, married Jean Reblin on Oct. 13, 1950 and while on his honeymoon received his draft papers and spent the next two years in Germany serving his country as a medic and ambulance driver. When his children were members of 4-H he was right there beside them helping them every step of the way. He coached his son's Little League baseball teams, always giving ice cream after the game, no matter if it was a win or a loss. He enjoyed boating and water skiing in his younger years. He had the belief that going out to breakfast could solve any problem you may have. On January 2, 1993 he married Leona, tripling the size of his family. Taking the grandchildren for rides on his "Mule" was one of his favorite activities, touring the farm and looking at an abundance of wildlife. Among his hobbies were bowling, watching draft horse pulls, hunting with his dogs, reading and especially watching the Detroit Tigers. He was employed at General Electric/Hitachi for 32 years as a factory worker, but farming was his passion. His gardens were envied by everyone in the neighborhoods, especially his giant pumpkin patch. He was a member of the Amble United Methodist Church and then later a member of the New Hope United Methodist Church. He was very active in his younger years in the Montcalm County Farm Bureau and was a member of the Lakeview VFW.
Arrangements are being handled by Hansen Janowicz Funeral Home in Remus. Visitation will be held at the New Hope United Methodist Church in Mecosta from 5 - 8 pm on Sunday Aug. 10 and from 10 - 11 am on Monday Aug. 11. Funeral services will be Monday Aug. 11 at the New Hope United Methodist Church at 11 am with lunch immediately following and interment in the Amble cemetery at 2pm.
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