Ethel Chapin

View Video Tribute Mrs. Ethel M. Chapin, age 98, of Greenville, formerly of Ionia and Stanton, passed away Saturday evening, Nov. 4, 2006 at the Long Term Care Unit of Spectrum Health United Memorial-United Campus, Greenville. The daughter of Walter & Florence (Randall) Dillenbeck, she was born on Sept. 3, 1908 in Ionia. She was raised in Ionia where she attended Sts. Peter & Paul Academy and was a long time member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. In 1927, at Sts. Peter & Paul, she married James Chapin, who preceded her in death in June of 1955. As a young widow, Ethel worked as a babysitter to help support her family. She later began working as a housekeeper for Father Bozung at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Edmore and for Father Hoogterp at parishes in Grand Rapids and Muskegon. After retiring, she returned to the area, eventually making her home at Friendship House in Greenville, and was a faithful member of St. Charles Catholic Church. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by three sons, Charles Chapin, Gary Chapin, and Robert Chapin; a daughter, Mary OMara; a brother, Abner Dillenbeck; three sisters, Virginia Guild, Mary Leece, and Mable Dillenbeck; and a granddaughter, Joy Slingerland. Surviving are a son and two daughters-in-law, Richard & Patricia Chapin of Sheridan, and Janet Chapin of Lakeview; two daughters and three sons-in-law, Phyllis & Laverne Buz Adams of Greenville, Lois & Bill Walker of Ionia, and Gene OMara of Lake Odessa; 16 grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ethel Chapin, please visit our flower store.