Cletus Chappell
Jerseyville |
Cletus Burton Chappell, 79, passed away on April 11, 2019 at his home after a battle with cancer. Cletus was born on February 20, 1940 to Arthur “Happy” & Lorraine (Freesmeyer) Chappell in McClusky, Jersey County, IL. Cletus attended Country School, Jersey Community High School and Lewis and Clark College. After HS, he worked driving an ambulance for Jacoby Bros. and doing various construction jobs.
Cletus married Karen Gotter from Brighton, IL, on September 2, 1961 at St. John’s Evangelical in Brighton. In 1962, he took a job with C&W Equipment in Jerseyville and later became part owner of the business. Cletus worked at C&W Equipment for 50 years.
As a young man, Cletus was a member of the Idlers Custom Car Club and Jaycee’s in Jerseyville, 1975-85, he became a pro bono Deputy for the Jersey County Sheriff’s Dept., under Sheriff Yocom, assisting in investigations. 1985-2003, he was Police Commissioner for the City of Jerseyville.
Cletus was a self taught Craftsman in cabinet making, general electrical work and finish carpentry. In his spare time Cletus did special projects for family and friends making beautiful cabinets and doing electrical and carpentry work. Cletus also enjoyed planning winter golfing trips to Florida with his friends for many years.
In 2006 Cletus retired from C&W Equipment. He built a beautiful summer Cabin for his wife, Karen, on their lake in Brighton. He began doing scroll saw work in his shop, making many beautiful projects for family and friends. He also enjoyed spending time at the farm mowing and having fish fries at the Cabin with friends.
Cletus is survived by his wife: Karen Chappell; his children: Steven & Jan Chappell, Tim Chappell, Kevin Chappell and Cindy Chappell of Jerseyville, IL; his grandchildren: John Chappell, Sarah Chappell, Luke Chappell, and Josh Chappell. Cletus is preceded in death by his parents, his siblings: Darrell Chappell, Jack Chappell, Sharon Chappell, and Sandy Chappell.
Visitation will be from 9am -12pm, service to immediately follow, on Saturday, April 20, 2019 at First United Methodist Church in Jerseyville. Officiating will be Pastor Bob Taylor. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Association. Alexander and Gubser Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Alexander Funeral Home
