Obituary for Eugene H Chappell
Eugene “Gene” Harold Chappell, 92, of Dubuque joined his heavenly family Sunday, January 20, 2019, at Mercy Health Center, with loving family in attendance. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 pm Friday, February 22, 2019 at the Egelhof, Siegert and Casper Westview Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 Kennedy Road where Masonic services will be recited at 7:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1755 Delhi St, Dubuque IA. where visitation will also be held Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until time of service.
Gene was born November 12, 1926 in Dubuque, Iowa, son of George H. and Stella D. (Jecklin) Chappell. After graduating from Dubuque Senior High School in 1944, he joined and served in the US Navy, as a Pharmacists Mate 3 Class. He was also a member of the U.S. Navy Choir. He studied at University of Dubuque for a short time after.
He married Gerda Hanselmann on May 7, 1950 at St. John’s Lutheran Church. The couple met during a combined choir between St. Marks and St. John's and they were married for 68 years. He was also a member of the original capital campaign committee, for the building of Luther Manor, Hillcrest. Eugene was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, and volunteered as a money counter, for many years.
He was employed and was a member of the Dubuque Typographical Union #22 for 40 years, working primarily in the composing room of the Dubuque Telegraph Herald.
Gene was a committeeman for the Boy Scouts of America troop 48, where he was bestowed the prestigious honor of membership in the Order of the Arrow.
He was a member of the Great River Amateur Radio Club, WB0QMA, and enjoyed talking to Ham Radio friends locally and around the world.
He loved bike riding with family and friends, and he frequented trails in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. Besides biking, seldom was a day missed of walking with his usual friends, at the Mall.
Very dear to his heart was his Masonic involvement. He was a thirty second degree Mason and was active in the Shrine, Grotto, Knight Templar, High Twelve, Yorkrite, and Scottish Rite.
Beloved to Gene was his cottage get away in St. Donatus Iowa, where family and friends met for generations together, to fish the Tete De Morte creek, or sit and chat by the fire.
He is survived by his wife, Gerda Chappell of Dubuque; three children, Miriam J. Hoffman of Dubuque, Joan K. (David) Soltwisch of Minooka, IL, and Timothy G. (Darla) Chappell of Dubuque; five grandchildren, Ben and Adam (Jessica) Hoffman; Rochelle (Mark) Quiner, Juliene Soltwisch; and Kurtis (Rachael) Chappell; nine great grandchildren, Madlin, Colin, Nathan, Audrey, Kolton, Cora, Liam, Annette, Juliet; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and three siblings, George, Carlton and Joyce (Chappell) Van Drie.
Memorials can be sent to Swiss Valley Nature Center, Camp Klaus, or the Dubuque Shriners.
Special Thank You to all who helped Gene stay at home, especially Nurse Heidi, his neighbors, and friends Wayne, Russ and Fred.
Gene was born November 12, 1926 in Dubuque, Iowa, son of George H. and Stella D. (Jecklin) Chappell. After graduating from Dubuque Senior High School in 1944, he joined and served in the US Navy, as a Pharmacists Mate 3 Class. He was also a member of the U.S. Navy Choir. He studied at University of Dubuque for a short time after.
He married Gerda Hanselmann on May 7, 1950 at St. John’s Lutheran Church. The couple met during a combined choir between St. Marks and St. John's and they were married for 68 years. He was also a member of the original capital campaign committee, for the building of Luther Manor, Hillcrest. Eugene was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, and volunteered as a money counter, for many years.
He was employed and was a member of the Dubuque Typographical Union #22 for 40 years, working primarily in the composing room of the Dubuque Telegraph Herald.
Gene was a committeeman for the Boy Scouts of America troop 48, where he was bestowed the prestigious honor of membership in the Order of the Arrow.
He was a member of the Great River Amateur Radio Club, WB0QMA, and enjoyed talking to Ham Radio friends locally and around the world.
He loved bike riding with family and friends, and he frequented trails in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. Besides biking, seldom was a day missed of walking with his usual friends, at the Mall.
Very dear to his heart was his Masonic involvement. He was a thirty second degree Mason and was active in the Shrine, Grotto, Knight Templar, High Twelve, Yorkrite, and Scottish Rite.
Beloved to Gene was his cottage get away in St. Donatus Iowa, where family and friends met for generations together, to fish the Tete De Morte creek, or sit and chat by the fire.
He is survived by his wife, Gerda Chappell of Dubuque; three children, Miriam J. Hoffman of Dubuque, Joan K. (David) Soltwisch of Minooka, IL, and Timothy G. (Darla) Chappell of Dubuque; five grandchildren, Ben and Adam (Jessica) Hoffman; Rochelle (Mark) Quiner, Juliene Soltwisch; and Kurtis (Rachael) Chappell; nine great grandchildren, Madlin, Colin, Nathan, Audrey, Kolton, Cora, Liam, Annette, Juliet; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and three siblings, George, Carlton and Joyce (Chappell) Van Drie.
Memorials can be sent to Swiss Valley Nature Center, Camp Klaus, or the Dubuque Shriners.
Special Thank You to all who helped Gene stay at home, especially Nurse Heidi, his neighbors, and friends Wayne, Russ and Fred.