Chauncey "Jake" Chapman

Chauncey L. “Jake” Chapman, 93, passed peacefully surrounded by his loving family after a short illness on Monday, January 27, 2025 at Methodist West Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 7, 2025 at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, Iowa with visitation one hour prior. Private family burial will be held at Iowa Veterans Cemetery.

Jake was born May 26, 1931 in Council Bluffs, Iowa, joining his parents, Chauncey Lewis Chapman and Bertha May Chapman, along with his sister, Dorothy Jean and older brother Billy. He was born in an apartment above a dairy. At the age of nine years old, Jake began working at Farmer Labor Press smelting lead and sweeping the floor. He would take the streetcar to Omaha to work. He earned $.25 an hour and later ran an address mailing machine. He graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs. While in school, he was active in the Navy Reserves. Upon graduation, he worked for Anderson Construction Company as a carpenter apprentice from 1949 to 1950, working alongside his Dad.

Jake enlisted in the Marines in January, 1951 and served in Korea from 1951 to 1952. Before heading to Korea, he married his high school sweetheart, Norma Nelson on June 9, 1951. They were married 58 years until her death.

Upon returning to Iowa, he started working for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company as a lineman and was promoted to the sales department in 1960. Throughout his career, he became District Sales Manager and made many life-long friendships. He retired in April, 1990. His retirement was short-lived when he contracted to and became a consultant for US West where he worked until 2007. During this time, he travelled to Poland, Singapore and Australia.

Jake and Norma had four children, Kirk, Shawn, Mitch and Dana. He was very active with his sons Kirk and Mitch in Scouting, serving as a scout leader for several years. He enjoyed taking all four children on summer vacations. Jake and Norma loved traveling the USA and other countries. Jake was able to revisit Korea on an Honor Tour in 2014. He also volunteered at the Gold Star Museum at Camp Dodge in Johnston, Iowa. He and many other veterans are featured in books published by PROJECT SOLDIER KWV. You may visit their website at projectsoldierkwv.com or youtube.com\projectsoldierkwv. One of his all-time joys was boating, fishing and spending time at his place in Lansing, Iowa over looking the Mississippi River. They enjoyed numerous family picnics, cookouts and family celebrations. Jake cherished his family and friends and kept them close to his heart at all times, even officiating for two of his grandchildren’s weddings.

He is survived by his children, Kirk (Katie) Chapman of Logan, IA, Shawn (Cecil) Blum of Denison, IA, Mitch Chapman of Silt, CO. and Dana (Brent) Zimmerman of Waukee, IA; grandchildren, Erin (Brandon) Mengwasser, Brent Van Bibber (Angie), Joe (Sharon) Chapman, CL (Cami) Chapman, Kiyvon (Trevor) Nye, Josh Chapman, Shawna Cleek, Ashlyn (Jeremy) Oberg, Alaina (Adam) Emerson and Japheth (Katie) Owens; 27 great-grandchildren, with a set of twin baby girls due in June; one great-great-grandchild; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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