GREENSBURG
Philip Alan Chapple, 68, of Greensburg, lost his battle to pancreatitis at 10:40 a.m. Thursday, July 16, 2015, at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana after fighting valiantly for more than 80 days. He peacefully passed surrounded by his family.
Born Sept. 6, 1946, in Columbus, he was the son of Paul F. and Ruth E. Fulkerson Chapple, both of whom preceded him in death. On May 26, 1984, he married Linda Foster and she survives.
He was a graduate of Columbus High School class of 1964 and Purdue University, where he earned his bachelor and master degrees. He began his teaching career at North Newton High School, where he was the agriculture teacher. After eight years, he left education and spent the next 14 years in manufacturing management at Arvin Industries and Cummins. He realized his true passion was to be an educator and he returned to teaching at Northeast Dubois High School in Dubois, leading the agriculture department. During his tenure at Northeast Dubois, he received his principal’s license from Indiana University. He served as principal at Northeast Dubois for one year before beginning a 15-year career as principal at Greensburg Community High School, from where he retired on June 30, 2015. He had a passion for teaching, his family, and his students. He thoroughly enjoyed being the principal and was proud to be called Mr. Chapple, Chappy or Chap Daddy.
Phil was a member of the Decatur County Extension Board, having been recently elected to serve as president.
Besides his wife of 31 years, survivors include his son, Andrew Chapple of Columbus; and daughters, Amy Warner of Bargersville and Jennifer Milan (Gary Gardner) of Columbus; stepdaughter, Denise (Eric) Reedy, and stepson, Darren (Krista) Foster of Seymour; brothers, Mark (Gina) Chapple and Steve Chapple of Columbus; sister Sara (Max) Kuhns of Columbus; and grandchildren Kayleigh and Larissa Warner, Hannah Milan, Corey Gardner, Caleb, Jared and Ava Reedy, Riley Foster, Emilee and Victoria Lang; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, David and Joe Chapple.
The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Monday in the sanctuary at First Christian Church, 425 N. Broadway St, in Greensburg.
A private interment will be held at Garland Brook Cemetery in Columbus at a later date.
Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday in the family worship center at the church and from noon until time of service Monday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana or to Philip A. Chapple “Chap Daddy” FFA Scholarship Fund.
Online condolences can be made to the family at popfuneralhome.com.