May 22, 1947 – November 16, 2024
Ricky Dee Chapman, 77, of Mitchell, passed away Saturday, November 16, 2024, at Indiana University Health Hospice House.
Born May 22, 1947, in Bedford, he was the son of Lewis and Alberta (Burton) Chapman. He married Linda Lou Tolbert on May 31, 1998, and she survives.
Ricky was a 1965 graduate of Mitchell High School. He was very proud of how he excelled in basketball and baseball and was awarded the Oral Dalton Award in 1965. Ricky was an avid fan of IU basketball and the St. Louis Cardinals. After school, he served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Ricky retired from General Motors in 1999 as a forklift driver after working for 34 years. He was the owner/operator of Quarter Acres Stables, where he broke and trained many horses. He also owned Triple C Tack in Mitchell. Ricky loved training and showing horses; his daughters and grandchildren have carried his passion. He was a hall-of-fame horse show Dad and could always be found at the Lawrence County 4H Fairgrounds. Although he became ill, he faced it like he did with life: with humor, grace, strength, dignity, and faith.
Surviving are his wife, Linda Lou Chapman of Mitchell; children, Michelle Chapman Land of Bloomington, Jenny (Chris) Tolbert of Mitchell, Jennifer Edwards of Indianapolis, Joni (Steve) Bodkins of Mitchell, Miranda (Paul) Gillespie of Mitchell, and Morgan (Brian) Duncan of Mitchell; and grandchildren, Max Land, Miles Land, Maggie Land, Alex Brown, Beau Kellams, Vincent Bodkins, Lila Bodkins, Matt King, Isabella Hawkins, Savannah Brock, Brynleigh McKnight, and Rhett Duncan.
His parents and sister, Sharon Reynolds, preceded him in death.
The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 22, in the Memorial Chapel of Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center, with Brother Rick Leach officiating. Military rites will be accorded by American Legion Post No. 250 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 9107. Burial will be at Mitchell Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Thursday and from 9:30 a.m. until the service on Friday at the funeral home.
In honor of Ricky, please wear your IU clothing to the funeral home.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.chastainfuneralhome.com.
