Roger Chapman

Roger Charles Chapman, 88, of Oakley, died Saturday, March 17, 2018. Roger was the third child of Charles B. and Hattie L. (Cook) Chapman, born in Bradgate, Iowa, on July 14, 1929. He lived most of his young years in Rolfe, IA and was baptized in the Rolfe Methodist Church in April, 1943. Roger served in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in May 1952, as a Staff Sgt. in the artillery. He started working for the Union Pacific Railroad in February, 1953 and worked about 36 years as a Depot Agent.

Roger was active in all sports and enjoyed attending sporting activities. He became a Club Champion of Golf, in Rolfe, IA, at the age of 19, defeating the defending champion 2 up 1 to go in a 36 hole match. He was also Club Champion at Oakley twice and was 2nd place many times. Roger always said he was the poorest golfer in the family and couldn’t beat his sister until she went blind, “I beat her every time then!” He also enjoyed hunting and fishing. The highlight of his life was the fishing trips to Canada with his brothers. Roger said “The Good Lord blessed me with a lot of good friends and good times. The only way to get to heaven is to die, and I’m ready.”

Roger was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Dorothy, who died June 5, 1988, after a 10 ½ year battle with cancer.

He is survived by his step-daughter, Glenda Schaffer and her husband, Ken; sister, Leone Hudek, Pocahontas, IA; brothers, Herschel Chapman, Leavenworth, KS and Keith (Shirley) Chapman, Carroll, IA; four grandchildren, JR Behan, Heather Holt, Stacey Brown and Travis (KayAnn) Schaffer; seven great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Monday, March 19, 2018 at Baalmann Mortuary, Oakley. The Funeral Service will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at the Oakley United Methodist Church, with burial to follow at the Oakley City Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Oakley Wrestling Club or Oakley Golf Course and can be sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com