Charles W. Chapman

Charles William Chapman, 79, passed away from a sudden cardiopulmonary event Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020, at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines.

Charles was born June 7, 1941, in Granite City, Illinois, to Howard and Davie (McConaughy) Chapman. He graduated from Granite City Senior High School in 1959. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard and completed recruit training in 1959 in Cape May, N.J. and was assigned to the U.S.S. Ingham, stationed in Norfolk, Va. He enlisted as machinist’s mate, third class and advanced to journalist striker, eventually earning the title of Journalist, Third Class at the end of his service, which lasted from July 1959 to May 1963.

While in Virginia, he attended The College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va. and continued his education at Lewis and Clark College and Southern Illinois University. Charles married his high school sweetheart, Wilma R. Cherry, April 14, 1962, in Camden, North Carolina, while on duty in Virginia in the Coast Guard.

Charles’ career in commercial lending began at J.A. Glynn and Company in St. Louis as an investment banker from 1969 to 1973, Hawkeye Bankcorporation 1973 in Des Moines, President and Chairman, Board of Directors of Hawkeye Mortgage Company from 1973 to 1975, VP and Income Property Loan Officer at American Federal Savings and Loan Association in Des Moines from 1975 to 1979, Jones and Company in Kansas City from 1979 to 1981, RLC Real Estate Investments in Kansas City from 1981 to 1983, Home Savings Association in Kansas City as a Commercial RE Loan Underwriter from 1984 to 1985, United Federal Savings Bank as VP and Senior Loan Officer in Des Moines from 1985 to 1991.

Charles was in the habit of transforming hobbies into small businesses throughout his life while managing his corporate career and in his “retirement.” He and Wilma were avid collectors of antiques and collectables. The stores they owned together include Yesterday’s Music in Overland Park, Kan., Classic Bicycles Inc. in Adel and Soup Farm Collectables in Osceola. Always a busybody and a sports fan, he decided retirement and a small business was not enough to occupy his time, so he added bus driver to his resume to keep him busy.

He drove school bus routes for Clarke County Community School District and frequented the bus barn for lively discussions about current events. Charles was also a member of the breakfast social that occurred every morning at the Family Table in Osceola. Everyone who knew Charles knew that he had humorous tales to tell and has never met a stranger. He will be greatly missed by the Johnston Jeep crew who regularly required tow assistance out of farm fields on weekends.

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 58 years, Wilma R. Chapman (Cherry) of Osceola; daughters: Becky A. Young of Creston, Michele L. Partridge (Dr. James Partridge) of Ames, Dr. Susan E. Moser (Paul) of Johnston; grandchildren: Noah Young, George W. Frampton, Charles H. Frampton, Samuel R. Frampton, Quinn D. Moser; numerous nieces and nephews, including one very special niece, Amy Loftus who could always charm Uncle Charlie.

No formal services are held at this time due to COVID-19 and social distancing concerns. A memory box will be located at The Family Table Restaurant for cards and well wishes to the family. Condolences may be expressed at: www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com.