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Mark L. Chappelear, 56

Mark Leslie Chappelear, age 56, passed away peacefully in his sleep Saturday, July 30, 2016, at his home in Roswell, Georgia. He enters eternal rest after a courageous and well fought battle with spinal melanoma.

Mark was born May 21, 1960 in Fremont, Nebraska to Duane and Nila (French) Chappelear. Mark was baptized and confirmed in the former Arlington Methodist church. He graduated in 1978 from Arlington High School in Arlington, NE.

Mark’s work career began at Valmont Industries in Valley, NE while also working for Scheer Shooting Supply in Arlington. After attending the University of Nebraska at Lincoln for a year, Mark went back to work. He moved to Dixon, Wyoming in January of 1982. He worked alongside his father and eldest brother, Doug, driving water trucks in the oil and gas industry for Chances ‘R’ Trucking in Baggs, WY.

Never letting grass grow under his feet, Mark returned home during the fall of 1982 to work as a hog farmer in Telbasta, NE for the Otto family.

In December 1983, Mark joined the United States Air Force. After basic training in San Antonio, Texas he went on to specialist training at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi to become an Electronic Computer and Switching Systems Specialist. During these years, Mark became father to his two sons, Mitchell and Tyler, both of who were great sources of pride throughout his life. The rest of Mark’s military career was spent at Offutt Air Force base in Bellevue, NE, where he continued his career as a Systems Specialist. Also while in the Air Force, Mark earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Illinois.

Equipped with a new arsenal of skill and education Mark moved to Racine, Wisconsin to work for Signtronic, a cutting edge computerized traffic sign company. Mark’s amazing work ethic and unique computer skills took him to Denmark, Canada, and Mexico and then the East Coast. Mark met his wife, Sharon Holt, while living and working in Nashua, New Hampshire. The couple moved to the Roswell/Alpharetta area in 1994, raising their pride and joy, their daughter, Jordan, and becoming an active and loved part of their community. After many years in the IT department at Syncor, Mark finished his career where it began, working with his brother, Doug, on the new venture of Secured Trailer Lots.

Many of Mark’s early years were spent trap shooting with his dad and brothers. Later on in life, Mark was an avid steel tip dart player and throughout his entire life he was a diehard Nebraska Cornhusker football fan.

Mark was a remarkably sincere person with a brilliant sense of humor. Wherever Mark went the party followed. His love for his family had no end nor did his passion for life. Whether you met Mark for a minute or knew him for a lifetime, he was unforgettable.

Mark is survived by his wife, Sharon Chappelear, of Roswell; two sons, Mitchell (Christy) Chappelear and Tyler (Kristin) Chappelear, of Blair, NE; daughter, Jordan (Andrew Hall, fiance) Chappelear, of Roswell; grandchildren, Lavyn and Roman Chappelear, Olivia and Maddux Chappelear, of Blair; parents, Duane and Nila, of Arlington, NE; two brothers, Douglas (Ellie) Chappelear, of St. Augustine, FL & Tom (Trinity) Chappelear, of Omaha, NE; as well as a large extended family.

There will be a celebration of Mark’s life at 11:00 AM, Saturday, August 13, 2016, at Arlington Community Church in Arlington, NE. The family asks, in celebration of Mark’s life, to please wear your Husker red, best Hawaiian shirt, or bright colors. Following services at the church, the celebration will continue with lunch at the Arlington VFW.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to help cover the extraordinary medical expenses atwww.gofundme.com/2gktk2s?rcid=6483d3d8542511e690e5b.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~