John Wesley Chapman, 65, of Tamaroa, was called home to be with the Lord on December 6, 2025, at his home. John was born on April 18, 1960 in Pinckneyville, IL to Harry Chapman, Jr. and Frances Stella Chapman.
While John was young he worked at Fredrick Battery Station as lead mechanic. Then John worked as a janitor for Southern Illinois Paper for numerous years. During that time he would work all night then go to classes at John A Logan to obtain his GED. He then worked in maintenance at Friendship Manor for 24 years before retirement and took great pride in his work. John was also a member of Sons of American Legion. John loved classic car shows, music by Elvis Presley, and fishing.
John was a man who was deeply rooted in his faith and his love for Jesus Christ. He was a member of Tamaroa Independent Pentecostal Church and spoke highly of his church and church family. Prior to his passing, he had a dream in September and woke at 3:30 am and wrote a beautiful poem titled "My Final Flight to Eternity." Every morning, John would wake up to read his bible and share verses with his family.
Although John never had any children of his own, he treated his two nieces Kelsey and Katrina as if they were his own daughters and loved their children like they were his own grandchildren. John was glue to the family and kept everyone close together. John also took in and cared for his mother for the final 26 years of her life as her health declined. His home was well known as the family gathering point and his door was always open to family and friends. Along with bible verses, John would often times send funny stories and pictures to his family to spread some laughter. John was loved by everyone who knew him, his absence is deeply felt and he will be greatly missed.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Harry Chapman Jr. and Frances Chapman, a brother, Patrick Chapman, a niece Chasity Chapman, and nephew Shaun Morgan.
Survivors include siblings, Myra Henson of Dubois, IL, Connie Heisner of Pinckneyville, IL, David Chapman of Tamaroa, IL, Marla Morgan of Tamaroa, IL, and Frank (Sharon) Chapman of Tamaroa, IL. Nieces include Kelsey (Nicholas) Fry of Murphysboro, IL, Katrina (Greg) Templeton of Pinckneyville, IL, Kendra (Brian) Holzum of Jackson, MO, Krystal (James) Geyer of Independence, KY, and Zella (Bill) Buerkle of Irvington, KY. Nephews include Chad Chapman of Tamaroa, IL, and Kyle (Brittany) Heisner of Tamaroa, IL. And numerous great nieces and nephews.
Services for John Chapman are at 11 A.M., Friday, December 12, 2025 at Searby Funeral Home in Tamaroa, IL with Rev. Kirk Steele and Jackie Joe Davison officiating. Friends may call from 9 A.M. until the time of the service. Burial will be in the Tamaroa Cemetery followed by a luncheon at John's church. Friends may make memorial to the Tamaroa Independent Pentecostal Church.
"My Final Flight to Eternity"
I wake the day and I'm still standing
Life for me is so demanding
Seems I'm known everywhere I go
So I start to pray for soothes my soul
The world is angry, this I know
I've stepped out on the road to my eternal way home
It's dark in places and the thunder roars
But farther down, the light sure soars
It seems a long, long way as I look for a door
I'm on my way home, to be with the Lord
I look behind and there is no one in sight
So I stop and pray many see this light
Up ahead a door is open and very bright
There stands Jesus with his arms wide open, I have him in sight
Now Satan knows I won my fight.
I'm with Jesus, I'm taking my final flight
Before I enter I ask Jesus
There's many I want to come with me, will you give them the greatest gift of all?
He says my child, I've done given it, they all need to call
With Jesus eternal I never again fall
It's 3:30 A.M. as I write this poem because I won't remember by morning
My mind is at roam, I wake in the morning and the room is bright
With knowledge from Jesus I could have written all night
By John Chapman
For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.