Beauford Chapman

Beauford Edward Chapman, age 84 of Austin, Minnesota, joined his heavenly Father on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at his home with his family around him. Beauford was born to John and Lola (Prouty) Chapman in West Union, Iowa, on April 8, 1935. When he was around one year old, he and his parents and siblings moved up to Austin, Minnesota. Beauford was baptized at home on July 23, 1947 by the minister at the United Methodist Church. He attended Lincoln and Whittier grade schools, plus junior high and high school in Austin. He quit school in his senior year, but went back later and received his GED – high school diploma in June of 1964. Beauford was hired by the Milwaukee Railroad on February 17, 1953. He worked there until he was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving from March 13,1958 to March 3, 1960. Having his basic training and schooling at Fort Hood, Texas and spending the rest of his time in Freiburg, Germany. On May 31, 1958, he was married to Gloria Eva Eddy at Calmer Lutheran Church, Calmer, Iowa. This was his furlough, moving Gloria up to Austin, Minnesota. Beauford then returned to Fort Hood, Texas and on over to Freiburg, Germany for the next 18 months. In March of 1960, he returned home from Germany and back to the Milwaukee Railroad from 1953 to 1985, Soo Line Railroad from 1986 to 1992, and finally Canadian Pacific Railroad from 1992 to 1995, when he retired after working for 42 years and 9 months. They had four children, Beverly, Edward, David and Susan.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Gloria Chapman; children, Beverly Verschoor, Edward Chapman, David (Kim) Chapman, Susan (Craig) Linderoth; grandchildren, Melissa Verschoor, Anthony Chapman, Abraham Barr, Samatha (Eliazan Garcia) Barr, Jon Verschoor, and Nikkita Chapman; several step-grandchildren including, Kayla and James Linderoth, Chelsey and Tony Schauman; great grandchildren, Lydia Verschoor, Alexa, Fernanda, Damian and Elian Garcia Barr, Natalie and Aden Barr, and Ava Chapman; step-great grandchildren, Karyna Carlson, Ariana Reyes, and Sophia Linderoth. He was preceded in death by his parents, John (1963) and Lola (1947) Chapman; siblings, Russell (1912), Marcella (1974), Edna (1918), Irene (1999), Mildred (2006), Ruth (1947), Margaret (1999), Thelma (2000), and Ernest (1937); brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and a little angel who died at birth on December 29, 1983.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 17, 2019 at Worlein Funeral Home Chapel in Austin. There will be no formal visitation. Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery, Austin, Minnesota. Memorials can be directed to Grace Lutheran Church in Austin. Services are prearranged and performed with Worlein Funeral Home of Austin.