Chapman, Gerald "Jerry" 1938-2017

CHAPMAN, DEEGAN, HARPENAU

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/8/2017 at 13:30:16

Gerald “Jerry” Chapman, 78, of Le Mars, Iowa passed away Sunday, January 22, 2017 at his home in Le Mars.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 27, 2017 at All Saints Parish – St. James Catholic Church in Le Mars. Reverend Mauro Sanchez will celebrate Mass with Reverend Thomas Topf concelebrating. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation with the family present will be after 4:00 p.m. Thursday, January 26, 2017, with a Parish Rosary at 5:00 p.m., and a Scriptural Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m., all at St. James Catholic Church. Visitation will resume from 9:30 a.m. until service time on Friday at the church. Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel-Feuerstein Funeral Home in Le Mars.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be made in Jerry’s name to Hospice of Siouxland.
Gerald Vincent Chapman was born September 2, 1938 on a farm in Sioux County, Iowa, the son of Thurit “T.K.” and Mayme (Deegan) Chapman. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Alton and later high school in Le Mars, where he graduated from Le Mars Central in 1956. Following high school, he attended college at Iowa State University in Ames and later Westmar College in Le Mars, where he received his bachelor’s degree.
He was united in marriage to Vernell Harpenau on September 7, 1959 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Remsen, Iowa.
Jerry worked for Le Mars Mutual Insurance until 1962, when he went to work for the Le Mars Saving Bank. Jerry was a loan officer for the bank until retiring in 2001. In the late 60’s, Jerry was also the co-owner of the “Malt Shop” in Le Mars.
Jerry was a member of All Saints Parish in Le Mars. He was also a charter member of the Sertoma Club in Le Mars where he had served as president. He also served as the treasurer for the Le Mars School Board and was a member of the Iowa Bankers Association for many years. Through the years, he enjoyed golfing, playing cards, and traveling with his wife Vernell. Jerry was very proud to hold a pilot’s license; he enjoyed flying and attending many “flight breakfasts”. One of his greatest accomplishments was the restoration of his 1934 Desoto Airflow. But most of all, he loved the times spent with his family and attending the events of his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife of over 57 years, Vernell of Le Mars; his children: Susan (John) Meis of Le Mars, Eileen (Jeff) Phifer of Eagle, MI, Mike (Melissa) Chapman of Manhattan Beach, CA, Steve Chapman of Ames, IA, and Jim Chapman of Cedar Rapids, IA; 6 grandsons: Joseph Meis, Nicholas Meis, Aaron Phifer, Jacob Phifer, Samuel Chapman, and Noah Chapman; 6 granddaughters: Madeline (Morgan) Walter, Megan Meis, Claire Phifer, Olivia Chapman, Emma Chapman, and Virginia Chapman; his sister: Lorraine Hoffman of Alton, IA; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, T.K. and Mayme Chapman; two brothers: Robert (Agnes) Chapman and Roland (Ann) Chapman; his sister: Kathleen (Harry) Mower; and his brother in law: Phil Hoffman.

Source: Rexwinkel Funeral Home online obituary.