Paul "Chip" Chapman 1944-2016

CHAPMAN, SCHNEIDER, HENKE, MILLER

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 6/11/2026 at 12:30:45

The Tipton Conservative - 10 August 2016 page 4

Funeral services for Paul L. "Chip" Chapman, Jr., 72, Clarence, were held Monday, Aug. 8, 2016 at St. John's United Church of Christ in Clarence, with Pastor Tommy Boeder doing all the talking. Private family burial was in St. John's cemetery.

Mr. Chapman died Friday, Aug. 5 at his home.

Chip was born April 2, 1944 to Paul Sr. and Iva Lavonne Olson Chapman in Cedar Rapids. He talked Karla Schneider into marrying him on April 6, 1963. He graduated from Clarence high school in 1962 and attended the University of Iowa for one year. From there he went to the Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science, graduating in 1965. He worked at the family business until purchasing it from his parents in 1977 and retired in 2011 after selling the business to his son, although everyday making sure things were done right.

Surviving Chip is his wife Karla; his favorite son, Dan and wife Gretchen, Clarence; daughters, Jodi and husband Ken Henke, Norwalk; and her sister, Lori and husband Todd Miller, Tipton; and grandchildren, Ben, Kiley and Blake Chapman; Nathan and Michaela Henke; and Grace and Ty Nichols.

Chip was an active person. He was a member of the Iowa Funeral Directors Association (50 years), the National Funeral Directors Association, Clarence Telephone board, Clarence Economic Development board, Clarence Community Foundation, Stanwood Masonic Lodge, Lowden 3/30 Club, Tipton Country Club and St. John's United Church of Christ. He was a former member of the Clarence Lions (serving as president from 1981-82) and a former church council member, also serving as president.

Golfing and fishing were two of Chip's favorite things and he had a blast doing each one. He actively enjoyed his son's 30 year racing career and became a "chassis expert" during that time and recently got to watch his grandson in his racing endeavors. Paul was an active bowler in his younger years. He sponsored a team on a night league, and he and Karla were in a couple's league, which led to them getting out of doing dishes at many family events! We can't forget that he was the infamous "curtain puller" for Twinkle Toes Dancers. Chip may have complained about going to all of his grandkids sporting events or concerts, but he did enjoy it and was proud of them all. He was also an avid Hawkeye fan and supporter, although stating he wasn't going back many times, he always did.

In lieu of flowers, because Chip carried his fair share of those, please direct memorials to St. John's UCC, the Clarence Community Foundation, or the Friends of the Animals.