Gene Chapman, age 82, of Huron, ended his earthly journey and entered into God's grace, with his family by his side, on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at the Huron Regional Medical Center.

View Gene's Memorial Folder

His memorial service was held at 2:00 PM, Monday, January 27, at Faith Alive Church. His service was live-streamed.

His visitation was held one hour prior to the service on Monday.

Memorials may be directed to Faith Alive Church .

Anson E. "Gene" Chapman was born September 1, 1942, in Alpena, South Dakota. He was the second of four boys born to Ralph and Theda (Leighton) Chapman. Gene grew up on the family farm two miles West of Virgil, South Dakota. Gene attended Virgil Grade School and two weeks as a Freshman at Virgil High School, then the Virgil High School was closed. He continued his education at Wolsey High School, and graduated from high school in 1960.

On November 24, 1961, Gene married Sheron Crabb. They made their home in Huron where they raised their children and spent 63 years together. As a family they enjoyed their cabin at Lake Bryon, where Gene liked to water ski. He also cherished riding bicycles and motorcycles with son, Brad, at Lake Byron and at Bumpies.

Gene attended Northwest College of Commerce for one year. While in college, he worked afternoons at the Nehi Bottling Company running the bottling machine and loading trucks.

In August 1961, Gene began working for Northwestern Public Service Company. He worked in the accounting department for seven years. When computers became "the in thing" he transferred to the computer department as a computer programmer for 14 years.

Gene also spent three years at Swift Packing Company loading trucks. Swift closed in 1986, so Gene bought a house for $3,000 and spent the next year refurbishing the house. This project taught him he could fix and repair most anything. In 1987, Gene began his career as being a "handyman" which he was for many people. Gene's handyman service allowed many elderly people to stay in their own homes longer than if they didn't have his help.

For over 40 years, Gene served the South Dakota State Fair as a grandstand ticket taker supervisor.

Gene was best known by many as the "50/50 guy" during the car races at Dakota State Fair Speedway, as a fundraiser for the Huron Lions Club. He was a 50-year member of the Huron Noon Lions Club.

For over 27 years, Gene worked for Kuhler Funeral Home, assisting with all things funeral service related.

He was an active member of Faith Alive Church, and proudly served as the lead dishwasher. Gene was a good and faithful servant to God, his community and to the infirmed. He was honored to have donated 18 gallons of blood to the Huron Regional Medical Center and other local blood drives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Theda; two brothers, Kenneth and Donald; and several in-laws.

Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife of 63 years, Sheron; their children, Brenda Chapman and Brad (Andrea) Chapman, all of Huron; their six grandchildren, Caty (Jason) Sundermeyer, Joeseph Chapman, Joshua (Heather) Chapman, Jessica (Kasey) Kirkham, Jacque Mueller and Nelly (Scotty Cunningham) Mueller; their 18 great-grandchildren; one goddaughter, Chelsea Husum; one brother, Lynn Chapman of Huron; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

View Gene's Floral Arrangements