Imogene “Imy” Chapman, age 88, of Logansport, left Millers Merry Manor and went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday April 8, 2018.
Born January 13, 1930 in Logansport, IN to the late John and Pearl (Wilson) Hellyer. On April 2, 1949 in Logansport she married William D. “Bill” Chapman who preceded in death on March 4, 2008.
Imogene was a homemaker and a member of Logansport Emmanuel Church. She loved gardening, cooking, entertaining people and making her home warm and cozy. She also worked at the Basket Shop for several years.
Survivors include one daughter, Deborah Binford, Logansport; two sons, Steve Chapman, Logansport; David (Beth) Chapman, Royal Center; two step granddaughters, 4 step great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by 4 brothers and a sister.
A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday April 11, 2018 in the Gundrum Funeral Home with Paul Bigger Jr. officiating. Burial will be in the Deer Creek Cemetery at Onward, IN.
A visitation will be held at the Gundrum Funeral Home from 3:00-7:00 PM on Tuesday April 10 and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday morning.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Emmanuel Church, 2437 E. County Road 200 N. Logansport, IN 46947.
You may sign the guest book and send online condolences at www.gundrumcares.com
The following is complied by her children in loving memory of both their parents:
A beautiful blue-eyed baby girl, named Iva Imogene Hellyer, was born January 13, 1930 at St. Joseph Hospital in Logansport, IN. Her parents doted on her and gave her a happy, happy childhood. Her father was an engineer for the PRR; two of her brothers were firemen on the steam engines. The Hellyers were brawny men and Grandpa's two favorite firemen were his own sons as they were untiring in their ability to keep the coal shoveled as Grandpa puffed down the track.
She attended and graduated from Washington Township School, excelling in tap dancing. She was always for the underdog ~ and never liked it when someone got picked on unfairly. Upon graduating she worked for Attorney Lynn O'Neil.
Dad's sister, Betty, lived next to Mom's parents - and the beautiful brunette next door quickly caught his eye. He often said that he married the only girl he ever dated - and on April 2, 1948 they were married at her parents home by Rev. Jack Frost.
To this union were born William Stephen in 1951, Deborah Louise in 1954 and David Estel in 1961. Mom had a knack for making ANYPLACE homey. Dad planted huge gardens, we weeded, he picked the vegetables, and Mom canned them. We raised chickens, butchering them for the freezer. For years and years Thanksgiving Day was synonymous with Butchering Day. We butchered at Uncle Carl's and when lunch was ready Mom would ring the dinner bell. Dad would smoke his own hams and bacon, grind his own sausage. We ate like royalty and just assumed everyone else did too.
Just before David was born, Mom and Dad bought a house in town. Dad proceeded to tear it down and bring it home piece-by-piece-by-piece and build their home there on Miami Bend Rd. It remains the sturdiest, most solid house in Cass County! It was Mom's castle, she kept it neat, planted flowers around it and was perfectly content there.
Our childhood was magical living on the Wabash River and for awhile on Dr. and Mrs Eckert's farm in Adamsboro. We had cookouts on the riverbank, camped up the river, hunted mushrooms, fished, hayrides, boat floats, built rafts for the river . . . . and our pets, we always had cats and dogs that were truly like family. Does Mittens, Buddy or Jack ring a bell???
Mom had a keen, ready sense of humor - it has been determined that Steve inherited that trait from her, along with her kind, long-suffering spirit.
Mom's temperament was always pleasant and even keel EXCEPT for when it came to politics. She was unabashedly conservative and was never concerned if that offended you. She never missed an election and pulled it straight Republican every single time! We would tell her (just for fun) the good qualities of a candidate on the "other side of the ticket" and her response was ALWAYS - "they may be a good person, they're just on the wrong ticket; if they want my vote, THEY need to move".
Music was always part of our home. We would sing and play instruments by the hour. The piece "Evening Star" still to this day evokes memories of a calm, secure "all is well" feeling of home. Dad would put the record on and then go to bed to be lulled to sleep and Mom swore he was snoring before the record went around once!
She worked, actually ran, Mrs. Eckert's Basket Shop at the top of College Hill for several years.
Mom gave new meaning to the word frugality. Dad learned quickly in their marriage that Mom knew what to do with a penny - and he wisely let her handle the financial affairs.
And the meals Mom cooked - she cooked 3 meals a day, 7 days a week, taking off ONLY
on Sunday
evenings; we were on our own to warm up leftovers. Our suppers consisted of meat, potatoes, vegetables, salad, bread/butter, and a drink every single night. The kitchen table was only inches from the stove, yet she served the food from serving dishes and never straight from the pan. Popcorn was a favorite snack and remains a comfort food to this day.
She had many nieces and nephews - on both sides of her family - that simply adored her.
Mom didn't flaunt her religion, "put it on" for Sundays, or cram it down your throat - - but rather lived it every single day. She was always there to take food to those bereaved, take flowers to the sick, pick up a family friend for church, invite the Pastor and family for supper, and in general just be the type of person that you liked to be around.
Mom, you were absolutely the best mother in the world - so 'til we meet again, we love you!!!
