Walter Chappelear

CHAPPELEAR, Walter Forrest.  Walter passed away peacefully on March 5, 2022, surrounded by loving family, after suffering a stroke on his 73rd birthday.  He was born in Columbus, Ohio on February 17, 1949, to Cread and Jane Chappelear.  He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Brady; half-sister Sarah Myer; and stepbrother Phillip Sexton.  He is survived by wife Constance Frey Chappelear; son Cread Colin Chappelear (partner Amy Lare); stepchildren Meredith Kephart (former spouse Christopher Kephart), Mallory (partner Tim Stenner) and Mitchell Deitrick; grandchildren Cread Cameron Chappelear and Maisy and Julian Kephart; brother Chuck (Vanessa) Chappelear, and their daughters Iris and Tara Chappelear; half-sister Amy Conant; cousins Shirley Nyhan, Bill Forgrave, Steve Chappelear, Sue Clark and John Chappelear.  Walter graduated from Ceredo-Kenova High School in Huntington, West Virginia, where he was president of the student body, and then studied political science at The Ohio State University, leading to a lifetime interest in government and politics.  He graduated from Elmira College in New York, majoring in English Literature.  Walter was an avid reader and writer.  He enjoyed biographies, and books about politics and about Ohio State football. He wrote plays and had stories published in the “Columbus Dispatch”.  He worked for the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities, at ARC West Industries, as a training specialist for over 30 years, helping people learn vocational skills.  He then worked as a case worker for the YMCA Van Buren Shelter.  His entire work career was devoted to directly helping people in need.  He had a passion to make his community and the world a better place.  He loved gardening and spent many happy hours beautifying his neighborhoods.  In his retirement, he extended his love of gardening to service at Oakland Nursery.  Walter played high school football, and was a dedicated fan of the OSU Buckeyes.  He competed in running events his entire adult life, completing a half marathon in Cincinnati at age 69.  He had tremendous patience and was sweet and kind. He loved his family and his friends and was loved by them.  Friends may call at the Maple Grove United Methodist Church, 7 West Henderson Avenue, Columbus, March 11, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to noon, where funeral services will be held immediately thereafter.  A celebration of Walter’s life will follow the service, at the IBEW 683 Union Hall, 939 Goodale Blvd., Columbus; all are welcome.  Interment Lutheran Reformed Cemetery, Thornville, Ohio, on March 12 at 11:00 a.m., for family.