Ernest Wells “Chap” Chapin, 92, of LaHarpe, Ill., passed away Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 7:20 p.m. at the Elms in Macomb, Ill. He was born in Hancock County, Ill. on Jan. 8, 1933 to his parents Everett and Ada Wells Chapin. He was the third child in a family of eight.
Chap graduated from Blandinsville High School in 1950. During his high school years he played football, basketball and ran track. After high school, he served in the United States Army during the Krean War and was stationed in Japan at that time. He was honored to participate in an honor flight in recognition of his service. After his period of time in the military he worked in the grocery store business. He then joined his brother-in-law (Bud Henry) starting a locker plant, later returning to the grocery business.
Chap married Lou Sanders with whom he had 2 children, Kathy Sue and Paul Eric. In 1975 he married Bonnie Melvin with whom he had 1 child, Anthony Brooke Chapin.
Chap loved sports, he was a huge St. Louis Cardinals fan and lived to watch his grandson Carter play baseball. He was immensely proud of his grandkids.
Chap was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Evelyn (Chapin Simmons) and Ellyn (Chapin) Miller and brother Everett Chapin Jr and 3 grandchildren, Alexis Miller, Mitch Williams and Carey Melvin.
He is survived by his wife Bonnie, children, Paul (Jane), Anthony “Tony”(Sandra), Kathy (Roger) Lee, Mark (Aubrey) Melvin, David (Bev) Melvin, Terry (Teresa) Melvin, Kelly Williams, sisters, Mary (Gary) Barr, Elaine (Tom) Ferguson and Pam (Jim) Jefferson and brother John (Marianne) Chapin and sister-in-law, Mary Chapin. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Scott Melvin, Nicholas Melvin, Bobbie Sue (Melvin) Naylor, Devon Melvin, Matt Melvin, Jordan Miller, Cassandra Chitty, Selena Markley, Christina Lock, Kelsey Williams, Andy Rodeffer, Brady Griffin, Alyssa Chapin, Kendra Chapin and Carter Chapin. Great-grandchildren Dahlia, Minerva and Cosmo Howard, Aubrey Porter, Austin Melvin, Dalton Melvin, Jensen Melvin, Logan Melvin, Mason Bruns, Isabella Melvin, Emma Miller, Lyric Miller, Jake Norton, Luke Norton, Shelby Norton, Lincoln Naylor, Julia Naylor, Ira Markley, Minnie Markley, Robert Markley, Daniel Miller, Arianna Lock, Saul Lock, Fiona Melvin, Ashton Miller, Alexandria Melvin, Caydon Melvin and Ryeland Melvin, 3 great-great-grandsons, 1 great-great-granddaughter.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 14, 2025 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in LaHarpe with Pastor A. Lee Unger officiating. Burial with Military Rites, will follow in the LaHarpe Cemetery. The family will meet with friends, Friday, from 9:30 a.m. until time of services. A memorial fund has been established for the LaHarpe Fire Department or the LaHarpe American Legion.