VILLA RICA, Ga. — A funeral service will be held Tuesday for Howard Raymond Chapin, 138 Reid Plantation Drive, Villa Rica, Ga. 30180, formerly of Hermitage. He passed away peacefully at 7:20 a.m. Wednesday, June 4, 2008, in the residence of his son, Richard, after an extended illness. He was 74.

Mr. Chapin was born May 21, 1934, in Sharpsville to Howard W. and Mary Fern Hunter Chapin.

He was a 1952 graduate of Hickory High School, Hermitage.

Mr. Chapin was a dispatch operator for many years for a trucking firm, retiring in 1999.

A Navy veteran, he served from 1952-56 in the Korean conflict, achieving a rank of QM3.

Mr. Chapin was a member of Beulah Baptist Church in Douglasville, Ga., and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends from his church.

His wife, the former Doris Jean Knox, whom he married May 22, 1954, passed away Dec. 26, 2002.

Surviving are: a daughter, Debra and her husband David Tomko, Sharon; three sons, David Chapin and his wife Noelle, Orange County, Calif.; Richard Chapin and his wife Stephanie, Villa Rica; and Brian Chapin and his fiancée Juliana Nascimento, New Castle; two granddaughters, Danielle Tomko and Claire Chapin; four grandsons, David Tomko, Daniel Tomko, Nathaniel Chapin and Andrew Chapin; a sister, Janet and her husband Thomas Hoovler, Hermitage; and two brothers, Pastor Jim Chapin and his wife Janet, Greenville; and Mark Chapin and his wife Sally, Douglasville.

Mr. Chapin was preceded in death by his parents.

CHAPIN

Howard Raymond, 74, of 138 Reid Plantation Drive, Villa Rica, Ga., formerly of Hermitage.

Calling hours: Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday (6-9-08) and 10 a.m. to time of service Tuesday (6-10-08) in the funeral home.

Service: Funeral service at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the funeral home with Pastor Jim Chapin, deceased’s brother, officiating.

Interment: Hillcrest Memorial Park, Hermitage.