Bobbi Chapman passed into the tender mercies of the Lord on Monday, March 6, 2023, at Rolling Meadows Health Care Center in LaFontaine. She was born on July 19, 1947, at Marion General Hospital and was the third child of Robert C. and Alice (Reichman) Chapman.
Bobbi is survived by her husband of 51 years, William “Bill” Heller; brother and sister-in-law, Charles R. and Sandra (Gootee) Chapman of Marion; nephews, William and Lisa Chapman of LaFontaine, Michael and Kimberly Chapman of Marion; niece, Barbara (Chapman) and Cliff Ney of Ohio; and her cat, Buffy.
She was preceded in death by her brother, William G. Chapman.
Bobbi and Bill had no children, but Bobbi always saw that their homes were filled with cats, especially feral/found/abandoned cats. Many cat colonies lived well with Bobbi’s provision of food and shelter, and a select few were invited to live indoors with her. The maximum number was seven while living in Greenwood. Upon relocation to Marion in 2012, Bobbi quickly found and cared for a large colony. Bobbi and Bill neutered 17 cats in the Marion colony to help control the feral population.
In addition to cat care, Bobbi loved gardening and especially enjoyed growing roses and daylily varieties. Every stop in married life led to an extensive garden being planted.
Bobbi earned BA and MA degrees from Indiana University-Bloomington, and she used her Spanish language skills honed with two study forays to Madrid, Spain, in service with the Allen County (IN) Welfare Department.
Reading James Patterson books was a favorite activity, as was doing extensive genealogical research on Chapman relatives who emigrated from Scotland and Russia.
Health issues limited her work opportunities, but she boldly confronted them over 40 years.
Cremation will be handled by Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral & Cremation Service, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN.
A graveside service for Bobbi, as well as the burial of the ashes of her many house cats, will take place at a later date at Estates of Serenity. The service will be performed by Pastor Jeff Jahn of Temple Congregational Church.
In lieu of flowers, please direct memorial gifts to Marion-Grant County Humane Society, P.O. Box 1921, Marion, IN 46952.
Many thanks are expressed to the caring staff of Rolling Meadows Health Care who eased Bobbi’s last year of life.
Memories may be shared online at www.nswcares.com.