Robert W. Chapman, 93, long time businessman of Ontonagon, MI, died on April 14, 2010 at Bayside Village in L'Anse after a lengthy illness.

Bob was born in Painesdale, MI on February 1, 1917 to the late Thomas and Elsie Chapman. He was a 1934 graduate of Painesdale High School.

He was employed with Copper Range in Painesdale until World War II. He joined the navy and served in the Pacific during the war. Just after joining the navy, he married the former Laila Kangas. After being honorably discharged from the service, he and Laila resided in Milwaukee, WI, where he was employed at Johnson-Evinrude Marine. He then secured employment at the paper mill in Ontonagon. When the paper mill closed during the 1950s, he was employed at Hecox Hardware in Ontonagon and worked there his entire life, finally buying the business from former owner Ed Hansen in 1976.

Bob is preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Laila, his infant son Charles, his parents; Thomas and Elsie and siblings; Carol Chapman, June R. Gillis and Charles H. Chapman. He is survived by his only child Rob (Kathy), grandson Jeremy of Portage, WI, his two great granddaughters Zoe and Ava Chapman and their mother Tanya also of Portage, WI, and sister Charlotte (Bob) McManus of Calgary, Canada.

Bob was a member of the United Methodist Church in Ontonagon, was a founding and long time director of the Ontonagon Mountaineers Drum & Bugle Corp, a life-time member of the VFW, a life-time member of the Masons, a member of the Michigan and National Retail Hardware Association and member of the United Methodist Church.

Bob enjoyed working at the hardware and visiting and joking with customers. His favorite pastimes and loves included golfing, fishing, growing roses and gardening, home remodeling and wood working and most of all spending time with his wife Laila.

Funeral services for Bob will be held at the United Methodist Church in Ontonagon on Monday, April 19, 2010 at 11:30 am with visitation to be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at the Riverside Cemetery. Cane Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.