Mark E. Chapman, 65, of Lena, IL, passed away on December 15, 2023 at home. He was born on August 16, 1958 in Kewanee, IL, to Kirby and Pauline (Ptashnik) Chapman. Education included high school and welding school. He was a machinist for the Harper Wyman Corp, and a member of St. Timothy Lutheran Church in rural Wyoming.

Carol Sander was Mark's lifelong companion, roommate, and caregiver, who both shared a home for 18 ½ years that they built together. Carol tended to his needs for all those years, as he had been through years of tests, surgeries, and recovery times, which included open heart surgery and kidney dialysis, where he badly needed a kidney, as both of his had failed. Carol was with him during his final week here on earth. She was his Hospice Caregiver and held his hand and talked to him till she told him it was ok to go. The skies were the most beautiful color that morning, as she told him, I think God is coming for you. He gave her hand a little squeeze, and he left. "I will always love you Mark Chapman – Carol

Survivors include his brother Steve Chapman and his children, daughter Jennifer (Eric Craft) Chapman, and son Joshua (Sarah); brother Mike (Rosanne) Chapman and their children, daughter Courtney (Scott Reynolds), and son Christopher (Kim) Chapman, and lifelong companion Carol Sander and her family: Jonathan Bonzi, Nathaniel (Chrystal) Bonzi, and her 3 grandchildren: Justin, Shane, and Olivia, all who would call him "grandpa";

Mark also had nieces, nephews, and two kids he helped raise named Chelsea and Jason, but no family ties, and their mom (Lucy) who was Mark's girlfriend at one time.

He was preceded in death by his mother Polly Chapman and father Kirby Chapman.

Mark opened a welding shop later in years, as he loved helping the local farmers. He welded, loved mowing grass with his Dixie Chopper, and operating tractors during fall harvest. He will be missed by many…..

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday January 28, 2024, from 1PM - 5PM, at the "Iron Horse Tap" in Lena, IL.