Obituary of John Howard Chapin

John Howard Chapin

4/15/1933 to 1/8/2023

John H. Chapin was born on April 15, 1933, in Wilmot, Michigan, to Myrtle and Harold Chapin. His family moved to the farm in Deford when he was six years old. John married Shirley Joan Green, the love of his life, on September 5, 1955. He graduated from Taylor University in 1956. John and Joan moved to Deford in 1957, when he took a teaching position in Caro Community Schools. In 1962, John got his Master’s Degree in Counseling from Michigan State University. John continued to work at Caro High School as a Guidance Counselor. In 1968, John got certified in School Social Work by the University of Michigan. He then worked for the Tuscola County Intermediate School District for a few years before going to work in Saginaw Public Schools as a School Social Worker. John retired from his Saginaw Social Work position at age 53.

With retirement, John and Joan decided to dedicate their lives to promoting Peace. They traveled to England, Nepal, Vieques (Puerto Rico), Florida, and Washington, DC many times, as well as to many protests in Michigan. John’s final action in his work for Peace was to coauthor a letter with his college buddies titled “United Methodist Elders Thoughts on Peace” which they distributed to Church leadership in November 2022. Of the four authors only one is alive today.

John has had a significant impact on the lives of many people. He encouraged and assisted many young people in getting their college degrees. He helped numerous people move from institutional life to living independently in the community. He helped people buy homes and found others a warm safe place to live. He was always around to support people that needed someone to care.

John Chapin was an excellent father to his and Joan’s three children, a wonderful grandfather to their grandchildren, and a beloved role model and mentor to many. He provided many learning experiences and always welcomed the kids’ friends into family experiences.

John was preceded in death by his wife Joan; his brother, Gene; his nephew, Scotty Chapin; his mother; his father; his sister, Carolyn Cook; his younger brother, Ed; nephews, Paul Chapin and Steve Cook; and brother-in-law, Tom Green.

Left to cherish his memory are his children, Deborah (Joe) Parker, Sherri Block, and Tim (Bonnie) Chapin; five grandchildren, Dr. Jessica Block, MD, Jared Block, Brad (Leah) Parker, Christopher Chapin, and Angela Chapin; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jim (Jill) Green, Marjorie (Darwin) Costello, and Bob (Marilyn) Green; as well as very dear friends, John and Shona Vennevy, Noriko Ishizuka, and their families.

The family will greet family and friends on June 16, 2023 from 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm in the parlor of the Caro United Methodist Church. A celebration of John’s life will be held on June 17, 2023 at 11:00 AM at the Caro United Methodist Church. A luncheon will follow with interment in the memorial gardens. John has asked that memorials be given to The Salvation Army of Saginaw, or the Advocacy for Justice, C/O Pat Letherer, 12755 Gratiot Rd., Saginaw, MI 48609  to sign online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com  Arrangements made with the Cremation Society of Mid Michigan.