Conrad Joseph Chapelle

Chapelle, Conrad

Bridgman, Michigan

Conrad Joseph Chapelle was born on March 18, 1934, one of eight children and the third son of Francis Przybyła (Chapelle) and Josephine Przybyła (nee Nasarzewski). Conrad grew up living in Chicago’s south side and spent his summers at the family’s farm in Grand Junction, Michigan, where he became a Michigan football fan, a passion that would plague him for the rest of his life. Conrad graduated from DePaul University in Chicago with a degree in history, a life-long interest, and received a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

Conrad was a member of the Adjutant General’s Corps at Fort McPherson in Atlanta, Georgia.  While serving at Fort McPherson, Conrad met, fell in love with, and married Mary Ann Chapelle (nee Marchek), his wife of 61 years and the daughter of Ellen and Col. C. S. Marchek.

After leaving active duty, Conrad attended law school and graduated from the University of Denver.  Conrad was admitted to the Michigan Bar Association in 1964 and began his career at State Farm Insurance; he was in-house counsel at State Farm until his retirement. He raised his three children in Lakeland, Michigan. After retiring, Conrad moved to his family farm where he spent summers as a child.

Conrad was a voracious reader of history, and when his children were growing up, virtually every family vacation centered on visits to historic sites throughout the U.S. and Canada. Conrad adored his children and spent much time with them as they grew up. Conrad was known for his tenaciousness, loyalty and unwavering support for his children’s and grandchildren’s pursuits.  He valued education for the sake of education and took great pride in his children’s and grandchildren’s accomplishments. 

Conrad’s unwavering support and loyalty extended to his favorite sports teams, although this passion was not nearly as rewarding to him as the family he leaves behind.  He loved U of M sports and for many years had season tickets for Michigan football, basketball and hockey. And, he loved his hometown Chicago teams, especially the Bears and the White Sox.

Conrad passed away in the early morning hours of January 20, 2021.

Conrad’s family and friends will gather Saturday, January 23, 2021 10:00am until the time of his Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am at St. Mary Catholic Church, 10601 Dexter-Pinckney Rd, Pinckney, MI 48169. Conrad will be laid to rest at St. Mary’s Cemetery, in Pinckney, Michigan.

Conrad is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Chapelle; his son Joseph C. Chapelle (Catherine); daughter Ann Marie Moenart (Robert); and daughter Ellen M. Chapelle (Coleman Wolf). Conrad also is survived by seven grandchildren: Megan and Maria Chapelle; Christina Cwynar (Matt), Michelle and Paul Moenart; and Max and Ania Wolf and two great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Conrad’s name to Easter Seals of DuPage and Fox Valley (https://www.easterseals.com/dfv/ways-to-give/) or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html).

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