Merlin Chapman(Tulia)

Tulia, Texas—Merlin Chapman, 88, died Tuesday, February 15, 2011 in Tulia. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 18, 2011 at Rose Hill Cemetery with Mr. Bruce Baird, pastor of Central Church of Christ, officiating. Arrangements are under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Tulia. Merlin was born April 12, 1922 in Hardin, Missouri to Walter Benjamin and Fannie Lee Johnson Chapman. He moved to Colorado at an early age and to Boyce City, Oklahoma in the early 1930’s and then to Tulia in the late 1930’s. He enlisted in the US Army in 1940 and served until 1945 when he was wounded in the Philippines. He was honorably discharged and return to Tulia. He married Helen Grantham on April 6, 1946 in Tulia. They were married for 59 years. Helen died October 2005. He built elevators around Tulia until he started operating the Tulia Steam Laundry for Faye Carter. He worked there for 15-20 years. He then worked for the TISD maintenance department where he retired in 1985. He also had a small farm and loved growing his crops. He is survived by: a daughter and son-in-law: Debra and David Kinser of Tulia, a son and daughter-in-law: Larry and Joy Chapman of Tulia, a daughter-in-law: Joan Chapman of Plainview, a brother: Harold Chapman of Tyler, 8 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife: Helen Chapman, one son: Merlin Eugene Chapman, two brothers and two sisters. Memorials may be made to the Tulia Cemetery Association, PO Box 116, Tulia, Texas 79088.