Fred Chappelow passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 23, 2025 at the age of 96.
He was born on May 5, 1929 to Thomas and Emily Boval Chappelow in Abington Township, Wayne County Indiana.
Fred attended Brookville High School, where he met Margaret (Midge) Cleaver when the P.E. teacher lined the students up in alphabetical order. They married in 1951 and had three children; Tracy (C.K.) Chappelow of Cincinnati Ohio, Craig (Sara) Chappelow of Greensboro North Carolina, and John (Michelle) Chappelow of Mooresville Indiana. He was the proud grandfather of six grandchildren: Kaitlin (Seagers), Trevor (Kathryn), Matthew (Madalyn), Thomas, Andrew, and Benjamin, and six great-grandchildren Camryn, Tate, Parker, Henry Austin, and Jack.
Fred served in the United Sates Air Force during the Korean War era. Following his military service he found employment in factory work and was later hired by the Franklin County National Bank as an assistant cashier in 1953 and retired in 1994 as president and CEO. He was quick to attribute any success in his career to the character and work ethic of the bank’s customers, most of whom were farmers, factory workers, and small business owners.
He was preceded in death by Midge, who passed away in 2006. Fred cared for her in their home for as long as possible, then continued to help with her care when she moved into Alzheimer’s care. He would visit with her every day and be with her for nearly every meal.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded by siblings William Chappelow, Joe Chappelow, Marvin Chappelow, and Betty Johnston. Fred was close to all of his siblings but was particularly grateful for the companionship and kindness of his sister Dorothy VanMeter, who survives.
Fred was a tireless advocate for Brookville and was happy to promote his hometown to anyone who would listen. He served on many local development and fundraising efforts to promote Brookville and strengthen its stature as a terrific place to live, work, and raise a family. He was an active member of the Brookville United Methodist Church, Franklin County Democrat Party, Franklin County Historical Society and Southeastern Indiana Development Corporation. Fred was recognized for his support and dedication to his community by being selected as Grand Marshall for Brookville’s bicentennial celebration in 2008 and was the recipient of the Alfred C. Brown Humanitarian Award presented to him by the Franklin County Community Foundation in 2016.
Fred believed strongly that the reason we are on earth is to be of service to others, whether that means our families, our friends, our neighbors, or strangers who need our help. He was particularly dedicated to serving the veteran community and was an active member of Bernard Hurst American Legion Post 77 in Brookville. He served in many formal leadership positions over the course of his 72-year membership and participated in countless veterans’ funerals as a member of the honor guard and firing squad. Fred was well- known for managing the American Legion’s annual placement of American flags on veterans’ graves at Maple Grove Cemetery. Over 1000 veterans’ graves, some dating to the civil war, receive flags for the Memorial Day observance, and then are picked up the following week. Over the course of his 65-year management of this process, many citizens of Brookville recall being marshalled into service, divided into teams, and given (very specific) instructions to place the flags or pick them up the following week. Their reward for this effort was usually a cold beer, often a sunburn, and always a feeling of serving the community.
Rev. Steve Rundel, pastor of the Brookville United Methodist Church, will officiate the Funeral Service at 12 Noon on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home, 1025 Franklin Ave., Brookville. Burial with full military graveside honors by the Bernard Hurst Post #77 of the American Legion will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery in Brookville.
Family & friends may visit from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service at 12:00 Noon on Thursday, May 29, 2025 at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Legion Firing Squad, Franklin County Community Foundation Fred & Margaret Chappelow Endowment, or the Brookville United Methodist Church.
The staff of Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home are honored to once again serve the Chappelow family, to sign the online guest book or send personal condolences please visit www.phillipsandmeyers.com