Susan Ellen Chapman

Susan Ellen Peotter was born on May 30, 1943 to William Harold Peotter and Genevieve Marion Paeth in Kalamazoo, Michigan. When Susan was a girl, the family re-located to Phoenix, Arizona, where Susan graduated from Washington High School in Phoenix, then later Southern California. While in Arizona, Susan attended dental hygienist school and began a dental career that would span over 50 years. Susan met and married her first husband, with whom she had her son, Scott Bogardus.

After several years in California, Susan met and married Walt Chapman. They were married on April 30, 1976, and Susan gained two daughters, Sherry and Kristy. That same year, Susan’s career moved in a different direction when she joined Dr. Frohardt’s dental practice as an office manager. When Dr. Sellens took over the practice 10 years later, Susan continued in that role for an additional 34 years until she retired in 2020.

Susan and Walt loved to travel, particularly road trips. In the early years of their marriage, they drove from California to Michigan in a small car with the three children to visit family, stopping at many national parks and notable sites along the way. The young family spent summer vacations in places like Yosemite and Tahoe and took ski trips to Mammoth in the winter. After the children moved away from home, Susan and Walt continued to travel around the United States and Canada.

Susan was actively involved in her childrens’ lives, helping them with schoolwork, and cheering them on and providing snacks and drinks at soccer, baseball, softball, and football games and track meets. As they grew and left home to start careers and families, Susan was always available to provide a listening ear and give advice when asked.

When Susan’s grandchildren Jordan, Noah, Emma, and Leah were born, she became active in their lives, as well. Susan loved being a grandmother and always had hugs and encouragement for the grandchildren. Susan and Walt traveled all over the United States and Canada to watch football games, baseball games, cheer and stunt competitions, gymnastics meets, and track meets. Susan was a #1 fan of her grandchildren and never missed an event.

Susan is survived by her husband Walt, son Scott and daughter-in-law Jessica Bogardus, daughter Sherry and son-in-law Rob Fuller, daughter Kristy and son-in-law Jerry Whitfield, four grandchildren: Jordan Bogardus, Noah Bogardus, Emma Bogardus, and Leah Whitfield, and sister-in-law, Elizabeth Peotter. Susan is also survived by brothers- and sisters-in-law, cousins, and numerous nephews and nieces.