funeral director/owner, Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane, West Virginia, died May 14, 2020, at age 72. As the son of a founding funeral home director, Chapman’s career began with responsibilities such as routine maintenance, lawn care and automotive care. He later assisted his father with the early duties of a community ambulance service and other funeral home-related commitments.
Chapman was a graduate of Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, a member of Putnam Masonic Lodge 139 AF&AM, Scottish Rite Bodies, Beni Kedem Shrine Temple, Royal Order of the Jesters, Court 111, Rotary Club, Scott-Teays Lions Club and has served on numerous boards of directors throughout his career, including the West Virginia Board of Funeral Service Examiners. He was a member of NFDA, the West Virginia Funeral Directors Association, Preferred Funeral Directors International (past president) and many other professional and civic organizations. He received the 2020 Mayo Lester Award, acknowledging his lifetime dedication to the citizens of Putnam County.
Chapman worked with his father at the original Chapman Funeral Home (Winfield), and together they later established Chapman Funeral Home in Teays Valley. For many years Chapman and his wife also owned and operated Bartlett-Chapman Funeral Home in St. Albans. They expanded their funeral home presence with new facilities, which include the only onsite crematory in Putnam County. In 2015, Affordable Cremations of West Virginia was launched to provide cremation services to all areas of West Virginia in the most economical fashion.
Chapman is survived by wife Debra; children Jennifer, John William IV, Jake, Ty, Tara, Jered, Morgan and Justin; mother Jennie; and 12 grandchildren.