Daniel David Chapin's Obituary
Daniel David Chapin, 73, of Mecosta passed away unexpectedly Friday, December 9, 2022. Dan was born to Ray W. Chapin and Leora Ann (Kempton) Chapin on March 24, 1949, in Lakeview, Michigan. Except for a few years spent in the Upper Peninsula, Dan lived on, next to, and across the road from the family farm outside of Mecosta his entire life.
Dan graduated from Mecosta-Remus High School in 1967 and attended Ferris State University where he studied biological sciences. Dan was a talented drummer and played in several bands. He was also a sound engineer—he converted the barn on his property into a recording studio—and music promoter. He grew his studio into a full-fledged outdoor music venue where ZZ Top, The Cars, 38 Special, Rick Springfield, Cheap Trick, and other bands played in the early 1980s.
In addition to his musical talents, Dan was a gifted woodworker and carpenter. If it could be built out of wood, Dan could do it. He was a multi-talented dreamer who made and followed his own path in life, beginning to end. Of all his numerous achievements and creations, Dan was most proud of his children and cherished being a father. He will be missed not only by his family, but a wide circle of friends and community members who will remember him for his generous spirit, sense of humor, intelligence, and kind heart.
He is preceded in death by his father in 1997 and mother in 2019. Surviving Dan are:
Daughters, Courtney (DJ Perry) Chapin, Cassady (Jordan Reich) Chapin, and son, Tyler. Sisters, Nancy (Matthew Lutz) Oberlin, Sheila Chapin, and brother, Tom (Sunny) Bixby. Nieces and nephews: Trevor (Brenda) Morgan, Teasha Payne, Collin (Jenny) Chapin-Tovey, Keegan Chapin-Tovey, Kyler Payne, Madison Morgan-Crater, Bramyn Payne. Ex-wife, Sandra Chapin.
Visitation will be held Friday, December 16 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. with funeral service to follow at noon. Services will be held at Janowicz Family Funeral Home, 469 West Wheatland Avenue, Remus. Interment will be at Morton Township Cemetery with a luncheon following at Sylvester Community Church, 8320 5 Mile Road, Mecosta.
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