Cecil Chapin

Cecil Chapin, 92, of Viroqua, died Wednesday, September 22, 2015. Cecil Chapin, 92, of rural Viroqua, passed away Wednesday, September 22, 2015. Cecil was born on January 23,1923, in the town of Douglas, near Oxford, WI. He was the only child of George and Joanna (Peterson) Chapin. Cecil attended the one room grade school near the family farm and graduated from Oxford High School as co valedictorian in the class of 1940. In 1955 Cecil married Dorothy Purdy at the Oxford Bible Church. For the first years of their marriage they milked cows and raised laying hens in partnership with Cecils parents. Cecil completed the two year course at the Waushara County Teachers College, while farming full time and in 1967 Cecil, Dorothy, and their two sons moved to Vernon County. Later on he earned a Bachelors Degree from the UW-Stevens Point and a Masters Degree from the UW-La Crosse. They lived in Victory for a few months before purchasing a farm on Pleasant Ridge, in the town of Liberty, where they raised beef cattle. Cecil taught school at Prairie View (Retreat), La Farge, and Melrose. He retired from teaching in 1990. Cecil was a property tax assessor for over 30 years. In addition to being the assessor for the town of Liberty for many years, he did assessing at various times for the towns of Clinton, Stark, and Webster, and the village of Viola, and the village of Readstown. He retired from his last assessing job as Readstown assessor at the age of 89. Cecil was an adult 4-H leader with the Vernon County 4-H program for over 40 years. He sponsored a plaque with is awarded each year to a 4-H merit winning photo. Cecil was a member of the Viroqua and Onalaska Toastmasters Club. Cecil accepted Jesus as his Savior as a child. He served as a church clerk, church board member, and a leader of Young Adults group at the Oxford Bible Church for many years. Cecil was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Viroqua and was an active member of the Over Comers Senior Citizen group at church until declining health limited his involvement. Cecil is survived by his wife, Dorothy; two sons: Martin of Viroqua, and Daniel "Dan" (Lisa) of Readstown; grandsons: Ryan (Shannon Smith), and Steve (Candice Kini); granddaughter, Betty Chapin; great grandchildren: Alivia, Anastacia, Zabrinna, Oliver, and Emery; sister-in-laws: Velta (Phillip) Gohlke of Neshkoro, and Marcia (Lester Dwyer) Hoeth of Coon Valley. He was preceded in death by his brother-in-laws: John Purdy, Donald Hoeth, and Sherman Wilson; and sister-in-laws: Deloris Purdy and Margaret Wilson. Funeral Service will be held at 1pm on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at the Bethlehem Baptist Church. Pastor Roy Tellier will officiate. Friends may call at the church from 12pm till the time of service at 1. Online Condolences may be offered at www.VossFH.com The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of Viroqua is serving the family.