FRANCIS CHAPMAN obituary

CHINOOK - Francis Chapman, 75, died Sunday, April 30, 2006, at his home in Chinook from complications stemming from diabetes.

A vigil service will be Wednesday at 7 p.m. in St. Gabriel's Catholic Church. His funeral service will be Thursday at 11 a.m. in St. Gabriel's Catholic Church with burial following in Kuper Memorial Cemetery.

Arrangements are by Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook.

Francis was born Nov. 6, 1930, to Earl and Thea Chapman in Blaine County. He attended school at Lower Paradise, Zurich and Hebbelman schools.

He married Judy Acher on April 14, 1956, in Chinook. They farmed the Louie Miller place for two years. In 1958, they purchased the old Harold Lux place in Paradise Valley. They later added the Gorman place, the Martin Fisher place and the Jim Nesslar place. In 1998, they sold their home place and semi-retired to 1000 Minnesota St. in Chinook.

Francis was a charter member of the Milk River Riders Saddle Club of Harlem. He and his family enjoyed participation in the O-Mok-See games through out Montana. Of the many buckles and trophies he won, the most cherished by Francis was the sportsmanship buckle awarded to him by other contestants. Francis always enjoyed working cattle on horseback, especially branding and heeling calves. He roped for the Flynn Brothers Ranch for more than 30 years during their roundups and branding. After retiring, Francis enjoyed both wood and iron working, making useful works of art for family and friends.

Francis was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Thea Chapman; brother, Vern Chapman; sister, Doris Johnson; daughters, Karen Chapman, and a infant baby; and father- and mother-in-law, Albert and Juliette Acher.

Survivors include his wife of more than 50 years, Judy Chapman of Chinook; daughters, Karla (Kevin) Willman of Pendleton, Ore., and Candy (Phillip) Baker of Kansas City Mo.; son, Curt (Pattie) Chapman of Chinook; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brothers, Roy (Evonne) Chapman of Spokane, Wash., and Earl (Florence) Chapman of Orville, Calif.; sisters, Lois Rowley of West Valley City, Utah, June Elges of Big Timber and Ora (Jack) Gist of Chinook; sister-in-law, Rosemarie Chapman of Shelby; and numerous nieces and nephews.