Joseph Chapelow

Sebring: Joseph E. Chapelow, 77, of Sebring, peacefully passed away on Saturday, April 16, 2016, at Alliance Community Hospital.

He was born on February 7, 1939, at home on New York Avenue in Sebring, the only child of the late Ernest J. and Rose L. DeBolt Chapelow. He was a lifelong resident of Sebring.

Joe was a U.S. Army Veteran, serving during the Vietnam War as a Military Police Officer. Following his service, he was a lifelong member of VFW Post 6730 and American Legion Post 76.

Joe was a 1957 graduate of Sebring McKinley High School. He was employed as a fitter, and later as a machinist, at Alliance Machine Company for 40 years. He was handy with tools and completed many home improvement projects, from drawing up detailed plans, right through to the finishing touches. He built a handmade cradle for his first granddaughter and later constructed an elaborate wooden loft for her college dorm room. His love for tools was legendary among his family and friends. He was currently making plans to purchase new tools for his latest project, right up until the time of his death.

Joe loved all things Sebring, especially the high school boys basketball program. He was a season ticket holder since the 1966-67 season and rarely missed a game, home or away, for over 40 years. Although in later years, he mainly attended only the home games. He was an avid fan of Cleveland sports and Ohio State Football and loved talking every aspect of each team with his son-in-law, granddaughters, family and friends. During the years his granddaughters played sports at West Branch High School, he traded in his beloved purple and gold and proudly wore green and white. He attended all of their games, home and away. There wasn't a school or sporting function they participated in that Poppy wasn't in attendance to support and cheer them on. Two of his proudest moments were the days his granddaughters graduated from college. They were the joy of his life.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Jody and her husband Mark Edie, his two granddaughters, Amy Beth (Kenny Williamson) and Allison Edie, and his beloved pets, Izzie, Emmie and Fluffy Cat.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in Joe's honor to the Sebring McKinley High School Boys Basketball Program, 225 E. Indiana Ave, Sebring, OH, 44672 or the Sebring McKinley High School Alumni Association, P.O. Box 141, Sebring, OH, 44672.

The family would like to express a special thanks to the staff at Crandall Medical Center for the love and compassionate care given to Joe during his rehabilitation. He truly loved all of you.

Visitations will be held Wednesday, April 20,2016 from 5pm till 7pm at Dean's Funeral Home. Funeral will be held April 20,2016 at 7pm; with Pastor Mark Reich officiating. Family and friends may register online and sign the guest book at www.deansfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Dean's Funeral Home. Sebring, Ohio