Keith C. Chapman

Keith C. “Bud” Chapman, 94, formerly of Dowagiac, passed away Thursday, February 19, 2015 at Pine Ridge Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in St. Joseph.  A Celebration of life will be held 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, February 25, at Clark Chapel, 405 Center Street in Dowagiac with Rev. Kal Penny officiating.  Friends may visit beginning at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday at the funeral home.  Burial will follow at Hill Cemetery in Lawrence, Michigan.  Memorial contributions may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association or the charity of the donor’s choice.  Those wishing to sign Keith’s Memory Book online may do so at www.clarkch.com.  Keith was born March 23, 1920 in Goshen, Indiana to Keith Sr. & Marjorie (Jennings) Chapman.  He graduated in 1938 from Battle Creek Public Schools.  On October 27, 1941 he married the former BernaDeane A. Requist in Denver, Colorado.  Keith served his country during WWII in the Army Air Corps as a photographer.  He returned from the war to join the family business-Chapman’s Store in Lawrence, MI.  Keith attended the Veteran’s Institute and received a diploma in accounting & bookkeeping.  He was employed at Troy Motor Sales in Paw Paw for seven years before moving to Dowagiac in 1954  where he gained employment with Production Credit Association of Kalamazoo and worked as branch manager & loan officer until his retirement in 1982.   Keith was a member of Dowagiac American Legions Post #563.  In his free time, he enjoyed fly fishing, hunting, bowling, boating, camping at Lake of the Woods in Decatur, playing cards, and photography with a camera or camcorder to record all the family gatherings.   Keith is survived by his son Barrie (Pamela) Chapman of Portage, MI; four grandchildren-Jennifer Chapman, Todd (Kim) Ferguson, Tammy O’Brien, & Tim (LaTonya) Ferguson; nine great-grandchildren; and four great-great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife BernaDeane, his daughter and son-in law Sharilyn & Terry Ferguson, and his grandson Brian Keith Chapman.