Ernie Chapman passed away at home on October 10, 2016, with his loving wife by his side. He was 72 years old.
He was born November 24, 1943 in Modesto, CA to Lillie Bell and Henry Chapman.
   He attended Manteca High School, graduating in 1962 and went on to attend Delta College in Stockton, CA.  Ernie worked for Contel (Continental) Telephone for 35 years, retiring in 1995. On November 24, 1984, he married the love of his life, the former Helen Jenkins. They lived in Manteca, CA for many years before moving to Warrenton, OR eventually settling in Kelso, WA in 2002. He loved to hunt and on October 3, 2016, with the help of a devoted grandson and two nephews in Weyerhaeuser’s Toutle, WA Unit, Ernie fulfilled his dream of getting his first elk! He also loved to fish, go four wheeling, watch football and listen to country music in his truck. Ernie made friends everywhere he went. He had a huge heart and will be remembered for always being there when family and friends needed help, never asking for anything in return. His big bear hugs will be notably missed; it was impossible to walk away from one of Ernie’s hugs without smelling like his cologne for hours. This world will not be the same without Ernie in it and he will forever be missed by those who have had the privilege to know him and be loved by him.
  Ernie is survived by his wife Helen; his brother, Archie Chapman; brother-in-law, Frank DeBeni; daughters Cheryl (Brandon) Rector, Carolyn Wilcox and Christine Pesa; step-  daughters Sandy Sterling and Linda Gideon; 22 grand children; 11 great-  grandchildren; one uncle, Orville Fowler; six nephews; four nieces; and numerous friends.
   He was preceded in death by both parents; grandparents Henry and Edna Fowler; step-son Norman Jenkins; two nephews, Arnold Chapman and Robert Gutierez; and his beloved dogs, Brandy and Gauge.
   A memorial celebrating Ernie’s life will be held at Steele Chapel at Longview Memorial Park, Longview, WA at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, October 26, 2016. The family would like to thank  the wonderful staff at the Lower Columbia Regional Cancer Center in Longview, WA. The warmth and loving care shown to Ernie and Helen at each and every visit will be remembered always. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478 Oklahoma City, OK 73123; online at https://donate.cancer.org/index; or by phone (800)227-2345.

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Tuesday, October  18, 2016