Larry A Chapman

Carterville

Larry A. Chapman, 76, of Carterville, passed Monday, August 7, 2023, at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m., Friday, August 11, 2023, at Crainville Baptist Church, with Pastor Cody Knapik officiating. Burial with military rites will be at Willowrest Cemetery in Carterville. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Friday, at the church.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF).

Larry was born November 8, 1946, in Mt. Vernon, to Howard Arthur and Rosamary (Bell) Chapman. He married Mary Jane Boyer on August 16, 1969, in Mt. Vernon.

He is survived by wife, Mary Jane Chapman of Carterville; sons, Mark (Melissa) Chapman of Makanda, and Kevin (Beth) Chapman of Carterville; grandchildren, Lauren Chapman of Makanda, Hudson Chapman of Carterville, Avery Chapman of Carterville, and Grace Chapman of Carterville.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents.

He honorably served our country in the United States Army during the Vietnam conflict, where he was awarded a bronze star.

Larry’s passion for learning led him into a long career in education. He obtained his Ph.D. in Higher Education from the University of Arizona. His teaching experience included: Adjunct Assistant Professor of Management at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, professor at Pima Community College and at the University of Arizona. He was the Dean for Student Services at John A. Logan College; served as a Fellow at the Center for Policy Development at Illinois Community College Board in Springfield for several months. He also served as the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, and also the Dean of Students at Dyersburg State University, in Dyersburg, Tennessee.

He was an avid Elvis fan who enjoyed traveling, golfing, and watching the St. Louis Cardinals.

Riggin-Pillatsch & Burke Funeral Home in Carterville is in charge of arrangements. For more information, visit rigginpillatschburkefh.com.

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