Earl H. Chapman

SIOUX CITY -- Earl H. Chapman, 89, of Sioux City passed away peacefully Friday, Oct. 9, 2009, at his residence, comforted by family.

Services will be 1 p.m. Monday, October 12, 2009 at Nelson-Berger Northside Chapel, with the Rev. Merrill Muller officiating. A private family interment will be later Monday afternoon in Memorial Park Cemetery, with military graveside honors by the U.S. Army. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the services Monday at the funeral home.

Earl was born on Oct. 20, 1920, in Middlebourne, W.Va., to William A. and Hazel (Woodburn) Chapman. He received his education in Paden City, W. Va., before enlisting in the U.S. Army in June 1942. Earl served with the 16th Bombardment Group as a carbine marksman during World War II in the air offensive over Japan, along with service in Guam. He received his honorable discharge in December 1945 in Ft. Leavenworth, Kan.

On Jan. 14, 1945, Earl married Martha Lippon on the air base in Sioux City. He joined the crew at Sioux Tools in Sioux City in 1946, where he worked as a machinist on the automatic torque lay for 40 years before retiring in 1986.

Earl enjoyed hunting, gardening and fishing, especially his Canadian fishing trips. He was a member of Siouxland Senior Citizens, Eagles Club and the VFW.

Earl is survived by his son, Ronald Chapman and his wife, Brenda of Sioux City; special friend, Patricia Sandberg of Sioux City; and four grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Martha in 1995; and four brothers, Ralph, Harold, Lawrence and Herbert.