Nancy Lou Chapman

Nancy Lou Chapman, 88, passed away in her home on Thursday, December 1, 2022, surrounded by loved ones. She was born on May 26, 1934, in Hortonville, Indiana, to Merrill and Esther Horney.

Nancy grew up on a dairy farm near Westfield and belonged to the Quaker Friend’s Church in Hortonville. She belonged to Job’s Daughters, was active in 4-H, and was valedictorian of her graduating class. After High School she went on to attend nursing school but was just shy of graduation when she married Joseph Lee Chapman on September 4, 1953. 

Together they started a career in dairy farming on a rented farm in Noblesville, Indiana.  In 1961 they purchased a farm of their own in Eminence, Indiana where they continued to milk cows, every morning and night, for the next 25 years when they sold off the dairy cows in 1986. They continued to farm the ground until Nancy sold the farm in 2000 and moved to Indianapolis to be closer to her children. Despite the time constraints of owning a dairy, Nancy grew beautiful gardens and canned all the family’s vegetables. On Sundays and special occasions, she made good use of the fresh cream from their dairy to make delicious pies, whipped cream, and homemade ice cream to share with family and friends. She loved to cook and sew and passed those skills on to her daughter. She was a true partner in the farming business spending time in the barn milking cows regularly and time in the tractor when needed.  In addition, she also served as a school room mother, a den mom for cub scouts, assisted with fundraisers and sewed uniforms for cheerleaders and costumes for 4-H members in “Share the Fun.” She made and delivered meals for families in need, prepared communion for church, and taught Vacation Bible School. Her volunteerism and service to the community was unparalleled.

Dairy farmers aren’t afforded many vacations, so the couple built a pond at the back of their property for camping, fishing, swimming, hayrides, ice skating, and family reunions. She cherished the year-round memories with family and friends. Nancy loved, supported, and cared for her husband, until his untimely death at the age of 63. Afterwards, she continued to take care of her mother several times a week until her illness prevailed. 

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Merrill and Esther Horney, and husband, Joe Chapman. 

She is survived by two sons, Michael Chapman, and wife Misty; Gary Chapman, and wife Betty; and daughter, Kathryn McEntire. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren: Cole Chapman, and wife Jourdan; Kyla McEntire; Grant Chapman and his wife Lara; Cassie Swinney, and husband Christian; Anna Whitaker, and husband Quinn; Clair Black, and husband Michael; Chandler Chapman; Carly Chapman; McKenzie Chapman; Jace Chapman; and Jesse Chapman: and four great-grandchildren, Ford, Henley, and Arabelle Chapman and Levi Black. Other survivors include: a sister, Linda Makowski, and nephew Greg Makowski and niece Laura Quist; a brother, Gordon Horney, and wife Vicki; along with their children, Suzi Stokell, and her husband Dave; Nikki DeGrave, and husband Ray; and AJ Horney, and wife Katie.   

She also leaves behind several loving caregivers who have provided for her the past 15 years: Jill Burger, Julie, Rachel, and Kyle Salmon, Adrien, Candace, Melanie, Erica, Odalys, Alyssa, Tinisha, Juliany, Julio, Kerra, Jayla, and Cristina.

Services will be held at 10 am on December 10, 2022, at Randall & Roberts Funeral Home, 1685 Westfield Road in Noblesville. Visitation will be at 9 am prior to the service. Lunch will follow at The Palamino, 481 S 1200 E, Zionsville, IN. 

In lieu of flowers, the family ask that you consider donating, in Nancy’s memory, to the Alzheimer’s Association @ act.alz.org. “The disease might hide the person underneath, but there’s still a person in there who needs your love and attention.” - Jamie Calandriello

Condolences: www.randallroberts.com