Stephen Hayward Chapman

December 15, 1959 - September 21, 2022

On September 21, 2022, we lost our loving son, brother, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend Stephen Hayward Chapman. He is survived by his father, Clyde Hayward Chapman; siblings Vicki Renae Chapman, Teresa Lynn Keirn, and Stanley Clyde Chapman; and children Dr. Stephanie Nicole Bayer, Christopher Hayward Chapman, and Corin Michele Chapman, and grandson, Noah Scott walker. As well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews and preceded in death by his Mother, Glenna Hatfield.

Steve was a kindhearted polite man, who was charming in his own right. Steve loved his family wholeheartedly. He won the heart of anyone he met through his winning personality, quick smile, and willingness to help anyone in need. Steve was always ready to take on any task no matter how big or small. He would often offer his help and expect nothing in return except the joy it brought to the individual he was helping and the feeling of accomplishment when completed.

The most important days of his life were when his children were born; Stephanie, Christopher and Corin. Steve loved talking about his children. He loved them and was extremely proud of them and all their accomplishments. There was no father who could have been prouder.

He was a great uncle to his nieces and nephews and they loved their Uncle Stevie, he was always ready to do something fun. Some of their fondest memories are of going to Adventure Island and Busch Gardens.

Steve was a bit of a Grill Master, he could grill just about anything and everything he grilled was delicious. Steve loved dancing and was always ready to dance. He also loved his favorite little lady, his sweet Yorkie, Sophie. His heart was broken when he lost her recently. He loved with all his heart and that is all he wanted in return was to be loved.

Stevie’s weakness was ice cream (a Chapman guys trait)! When Farm Stores were around he could sit and eat an entire half gallon of vanilla ice cream. After Farm Stores closed, he switched to Breyer’s brand.

Steve was a natural born entrepreneur. At an incredibly early age, he would push a lawn mower all over Bay Crest mowing lawns to earn money for his hobbies. They included slot cars, building model planes and Frankenstein. He loved his models, he would get so upset with his brother, Stan, if he messed with any of his models and the little square model paint bottles but enjoyed scaring his younger brother with those Frankenstein glow in-the-dark models he meticulously painted. He loved hands-on projects too. He knew how to fix anything with an engine!

Steve was an excellent athlete at all the sports he played. He always strived to be the best and he was the best amongst his peers. He could do everything better than all the neighborhood kids from his Slot car racing, motor cross trails and even billiards. A great swimmer, water skier and snow skier. You name it, he could do it better than anyone else. He was very brave and he taught us not to be afraid of anything (even though we are still afraid of snakes)! He had an enthusiastic sense of humor and would pull funny jokes and pranks on us. He was the kind of guy everyone wanted to be around.

When he was about 5 years old, he could recite the books of the Bible, the old AND new testaments. I know he believed in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and would cling to the Holy Spirit during some of his darkest times. Steve was baptized on Sunday, July 27, 2014, at the 9:15am Idlewild church service.

God’s invitation Matthew 11:28

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and I will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.