Raymond Allen Chapman, 82 of Bunker Hill, died at his residence on Friday, May 12, 2023, at 3:33 pm. He was born on January 20, 1941, in Alton to Bertram K. Chapman and Virginia P. (Stickney) Chapman Landreth. He married Mary Catherine “Cookie” (Grelle) Chapman on September 30, 1961, in Alton. She preceded him in death on January 14, 2022.
He was retired after having worked for Local 553 Pipefitters & Plumbers where he was a guard and taught trade school. He was a manager of building maintenance at SIUE. He also had worked for Alton Plumbing and Heating, Bunker Hill School District, France Mechanical, Gent P & H and GRP Mechanical. Raymond was a member of Local 553 where he also served as Vice President and the financial secretary.
He was a bee keeper for 40 years where his bees were known for Comb Honey. He was a member of the Illinois Bee Keepers Association of Southern Illinois and St. Clair County Bee Keepers Association. He was an alderman of Bunker Hill for many years. He was mayor of Bunker Hill for 10 years. He was a former financial secretary for Bethalto Knights of Columbus where he was also 4th Degree. He was also a member of the Bunker Hill Lions Club. Raymond was a founding board member of the Bunker Hill Ambulance.
He is survived by his children, Teresa (Daniel) Cope of Bunker Hill, Jeffrey (Nannette) Chapman of Bunker Hill, Mary (Tod) May of Bunker Hill, and Jennifer (Frank) Hamilton of Bunker Hill; grandchildren, Elizabeth (David) Golike, Elijak (Jodi) Strohbeck, Evan (Chelsea) Strohbeck, Meghan (Tommy) Santel, Justin (Kelsey) Hamilton, Heather Hamm, Kaitlyn Cope, Benjamin (Meghan) Cope, Megan (Sean) Huneke, Erick May, Patrick May, and Michael May; great-grandchildren, Cameron, Eleanor, Neal, Evelyn, Liam, Gavin, Waylon, Shawna, Audrey, Logan, Tyler, Liam, Mia, Bo, and Sloan; great great grandchildren, Alidia and Grayson; siblings, Larry (Betty) Chapman and Kathleen Landreth; and sisters in law, Karen Chapman and Mildred Grelle.
Raymond was preceded in death by his parents; spouse; grandson, Andrew Chapman; great granddaughter, Evelyn Santel; and brother, Carl Chapman.
Friends may call on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Bunker Hill from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at 11:00 am at St. Michael’s Church in Staunton. Memorials are suggested to St. Michael’s Church or the Family Wishes for Bunker Hill Memorial.
Kravanya Funeral Home, Bunker Hill is in charge of the arrangements.
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