Martha M. (Argelander) Chapman

Martha M. Chapman, 92, passed away on Monday, August 24, 2020 at the Ashtabula County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

She was born March 19, 1928 in Erie, PA, the daughter of the late Otto and Katri (Pöllänen) Argelander.  Martha graduated from Strong Vincent High School.  She married Lauri (Hanhilammi) Hanel on May 28, 1949 and they moved to Ashtabula in 1954.  After Lauri’s death, she married Neil Chapman on August 20, 1978. 

She worked as an X-Ray transcriptionist at ACMC until her retirement.  Throughout her life, she remained busy as a girl scout leader and volunteered at the Regional Cancer Center.  She belonged to Bethany Lutheran Church, where she was  active in quilting, nisu baking, collating, circles and preparing funeral luncheons.    She was also a proud member of the Finnish American Heritage Association.  She enjoyed traveling and took advantage of every opportunity to meet people.

After her retirement, Martha started painting.  Some of her paintings were featured at the Ashtabula Art Center.  These paintings now grace the walls of family members.

Her survivors include three children, Lynn (Maurice) Baker of Morgantown, WV,  Kurt Hanel of Ashtabula, OH, and Lisa (Patrick) Travis of Hickory, NC; step children,  Barry (Kathy) Chapman of Battle Creek, MI,  Allan Chapman, and Barbara Kline; seven grandchildren and two step grandchildren, Christian, Jason, Steven, Kerrie, Katie, John, Kathryn, Jenny, and Tony; and four great grandchildren.

She hosted a foreign exchange student from Belgium, Agnes Lauwens, and maintained a relationship with her throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Lauri Hanel; her second husband, Neil Chapman; her siblings, Otto Argelander and Ina Parkomaki; and her son, Eric Hanel.

A graveside service will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday, July 2, 2021 at Edgewood Cemetery in Ashtabula.  A luncheon will be provided at Lake Shore Park Pavillion following the service.

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