Walter H. Chapman

Walter H. Chapman, 102, passed away peacefully at the Ebeid Hospice Residence on June 23, 2015.  Walter was born December 7, 1912 in Toledo to Ralph M. and Lillian Chapman.  He was a graduate of Scott High School and the Cleveland Institute of Art.  Walter began his art career as an illustrator.  He had numerous cartoons published in the Cleveland Bystander and the Toledo Monitor before moving to New York City to pursue other opportunities.  Walter was then drafted into the US Army where he achieved the rank of Sergeant.  He fought overseas during World War II, participating in the Battle of the Bulge as a member of Company H, 334th Infantry Regiment 84th Division.  He was a cartoonist for Stars and Stripes while in the Army and received a Bronze Star for his combat service. While in the service, Walter illustrated the book The Battle of Germany by Theodore Draper.  He also has several illustrations included in the book The Liberators by William Hirsh.  Walter returned to Toledo and established himself in the local art community, eventually opening Chapman Art Gallery where he could paint and sell his works exclusively.  His professional memberships included Allied Artists of America, Watercolor USA Honor Society, Ohio Watercolor Society, Ohio Realists, Northwest Ohio Watercolor Society, the Toledo Artists Club, and the Toledo Museum of Art.  Walter was a member of the Toledo Tile Club since 1954, meeting every Tuesday night with fellow artists, and also Sylvania First United Methodist Church.  He and his wife, Jean, enjoyed traveling and spent their winters in Arizona for over 30 years. Walter is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jean; daughters, Ann (Charles) Klingler and Patricia (Robert) Bumpus; step-sons, Richard (Liz) and John (Joyce) Swihart; grandchildren, Andrew Klingler, Aaron Mandelbaum, Anna Chapman, Sean Swihart and granddaughter Lisa; and four great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by brothers, Ralph and Fred; and sisters, Martha and Charlotte. Visitation will be held from 1-8 p.m. on both Thursday and Friday in the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Ave. (west of Corey Rd.).  Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, June 27, 2015 at Sylvania First United Methodist Church, 7000 Erie St. Sylvania, OH 43560.  Interment and military rites will follow at Toledo Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to Lourdes University Walter Chapman Art Scholarship for Study Abroad, Toledo Museum of Art, the Toledo Artists Club, or Sylvania First United Methodist Church.