Raymond Allen Chapman

 

Raymond Allen Chapman, 82, of Bunker Hill, passed away at his residence on Friday, May 12, 2023 at 3:33 p.m.

He was born Jan. 20, 1941, in Alton, to Bertram K. Chapman and Virginia P. (Stickney) Chapman Landreth.

He married Mary Catherine “Cookie” (Grelle) Chapman on Sept. 30, 1961 in Alton.  She preceded him in death on Jan. 14, 2022.

He was retired after having worked for Local 553 Pipefitters & Plumbers where he was a guard and taught trade school.  He was manager of building maintenance at SIUE.  He also had worked for Alton Plumbing and Heating, Bunker Hill School District, France Mechanical, Gent P & H and GRP Mechanical.

Raymond was a member of the Local 553 which he also served as Vice President and the financial secretary.

He was a bee keeper for 40 years where his bees where known for Comb Honey.  He was a member of the Illinois Bee Keepers Association of Southern Illinois and St. Clair County Bee Keepers Association.

He was alderman of Bunker Hill for many years.  He was mayor of Bunker Hill for 10 years.

He was a former financial secretary for Bethalto Knights of Columbus where he was also 4th Degree.  He was also a member of the Bunker Hill Lions Club.  Raymond was a founding board member of the Bunker Hill Ambulance.

He is survived by his children, Teresa (Daniel) Cope of Bunker Hill, Jeffrey (Nannette) Chapman of Bunker Hill, Mary (Tod) May of Bunker Hill, Jennifer (Frank) Hamilton of Bunker Hill; grandchildren, Elizabeth (David) Golike, Elijak (Jodi) Strohbeck, Evan (Chelsea) Strohbeck, Meghan (Tommy) Santel, Justin (Kelsey) Hamilton, Heather Hamm, Kaitlyn Cope, Benjamin (Meghan) Cope, Megan (Sean) Huneke, Erick May, Patrick May, Michael May; great grandchildren, Cameron, Eleanor, Neal, Evelyn, Liam, Gavin, Waylon, Shawna, Audrey, Logan, Tyler, Liam, Mia, Bo, Sloan; great great grandchildren, Alidia, Grayson; siblings, Larry (Betty) Chapman, Kathleen Landreth and sisters in law, Karen Chapman and Mildred Grelle.

Raymond was preceded in death by his parents; spouse; grandson, Andrew Chapman; great granddaughter, Evelyn Santel and brother, Carl Chapman.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at Kravanya Funeral Home in Bunker Hill from 4 to 8 p.m.  Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 11 a.m. at St. Michael’s Church in Staunton.

Memorials are suggested to St. Michael’s Church or the Family Wishes for Bunker Hill Memorial.

Anyone wishing to send an online condolence may do so at kravanyafuneral.com.

Kravanya Funeral Home, Bunker Hill, is in charge of the arrangements.