Howdy everyone...it's Dale.

If you're reading this then I finally kicked the bucket.

It's ok, 84 years is longer than I ever thought I'd have on this earth.

S'pose I should start with some info on me and my life.

Well, it all started on April 20, 1940 when I was born to Lavon and Helen Chapman of Milan, WI

One of nine kids...5 boys and 4 girls.

I enjoyed growing up with so many siblings, always having someone to play with or bail me out.

I was the first one in my family to attend Abbotsford High School, Go Falcons! I attended but wasn't always the greatest student because there's more to life than grades.

After graduating, me and some of my brothers ventured to Kenosha and worked for Chrysler at the AMC plant there. They later left and I stayed for almost 10 years, until they came and dragged me back home for my own good.

This was around the late 60s, if memory serves. Once back up Nort, in 1967, I started working at what was American Can (James, River, Graphic Packaging) and worked there until I retired as an industrial electrician 35 years later, retiring in 2002.

Around '69 or so I met Diane Chapman (Griepentrog) and we married on September 26, 1970. Unfortunately we eventually divorced.

We had 3 kids.

Darrin, our oldest, born on my birthday in 1971. Happy Birthday to me.

Dawn, our only daughter, born on February 29, 1972. Yup, a leap year baby.

Dustin, on January 7, 1975. We had to feed him for a whole year before we could claim him on our taxes.

Prior to retiring, I built my retirement home and lived on the land. It's 17 acres out by Lil' Chicago.

I enjoyed making firewood, playing with my toys (mostly the Skidsteer), cruising the woods on the 4-wheeler, and feeding the critters. I have fond memories of hunting with family on Rib Mountain and later in my backyard in Little Chicago. I also enjoyed dropping off treats for my grandsons, Carter and Caden, on Sunday after church. On rainy days or when the ideas hit, I'd create in my woodshop in the basement.

I was preceded in death by both parents, brothers: Les, Norm and Ronnie; sisters: Jane, Elaine (& her husband, Dale Zobrak), Gladys (Wally Sloan); son in-law, Greg Schade and great grandson, Cale.

I am survived by my ex-wife/friend, Diane, our 3 kids Darrin, Dawn (Rob) Elliott, Dustin (Becky) Chapman; my sister Sharon (James/Fritz) Pietrowski ; my brother Ken (Lila) Chapman; sisters in-law, Doris & Judy; also many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and even great grandchildren.

Well that about sums it up.

I'll just end by saying this: Thanks for stopping and Love you!

We all love you too, dad! We love you, too!

Special thanks to the nurses at Aspirus Palliative Care for taking care of me, my neighbors, Tom & Joe for taking care and keeping a watch over the place and Bev Bohte for her advice and insight during the process.

John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting family at this time.  Online condolences may be expressed at HonorOne.com