Earlene (Froedge) Chapman

Earlene Chapman of Warrenton, passed away on April 16, 2022, at the age of 86. Earlene was born August 25, 1935, in Blue Mound, IL to Earl and Ethel Froedge (nee Samples).

Earlene moved to Warrenton from California with her husband and son in 1982, which is when she learned about chiggers. Earlene came to love and enjoy rural life in Warren County. Trail riding with new friends like the local blacksmith, Jennings, and on her horse, Dandy, she explored the unpaved western half of Warren County. She would marvel at the abundant wildlife from horseback, even swearing she saw a panther on Lost Creek Road in 1985.

Earlene was for many years a Pharmacy Technician at Stewarts Drugs in downtown Warrenton. She took great pride in her work and valued the relationships that she developed with Joe and the ladies, and her many customers and neighbors.

Local folks learned that, if they dropped their unwanted dog off on Pendleton Lost Creek Road, Earlene would take in the poor thing and give it a great forever-home. One neighbor even learned that, if you neglected your dog, Earlene would let it in, adopt it, chip it, get it vaccinated, and love it dearly for many years. Earlene’s daughter-in-law often said that when she died, she wanted to be reincarnated as one of Earlene’s pets.

Earlene lost her memory to Alzheimer’s Dementia, but, even so, she was noted at Oak Pointe Assisted Living in Warrenton for her ability to sing any classic country song or gospel classic.

Earlene loved her family most of all, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was known to many of her many nieces and nephews as dear “Aunt Lene”. She was special. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Earlene is survived by her children, James (Susan) Chapman of Saint Charles, MO and Suzie Chapman of Warrenton, MO; sister, Wanda Freese of OR; three grandchildren: Stephanie Mendenhall, David Chapman, Daniel Chapman; three great-grandchildren: Sydney Mendenhall, Cole Mendenhall, and Joie Mendenhall; plus her numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand nephews.

She is preceded in death by her father, Earl Froedge, mother, Ethel Froedge, husband, Earl Chapman, brother, Harold Froedge (USA), and dear sister, Nina Nash.

Memorial donations can be given to Alzheimer's Association in care of Pitman Funeral Home P.O. Box 126 Warrenton, MO 63383.

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