Lela Chappell

Lyman, Utah - Lela Ackerman Chappell, 91, of Lyman, Utah, passed from this life on February 4, 2007, of natural causes in Richfield, Utah. She was born April 18, 1915, in Lyman, Utah a daughter of Parley and Diantha Sorenson Ackerman. She grew up in Lyman and Widtsoe, Utah. When she was 17, she met Glen Sherman Chappell, a handsome young man out riding his horse, and married him on May 26, 1933 in Loa, Utah. This marriage was solemnized in the Manti Temple on April 19, 1958. Glen died August 18, 1992. Lela was active in the LDS church, fulfilling assignments as Young Women’s President, Primary President, and Relief Society President. She was also a visiting teacher until she could no longer leave her house. Lela and Glen organized and ran the Wayne Jr. Riders riding club, teaching horsemanship to hundreds of kids and taking them to riding meets all over Utah for more than ten years. She was a 4-H instructor in cooking, clothing, and horsemanship for more than four decades. Lela loved to work, owning her own upholstery shop for over 25 years. She was happiest digging in the garden or taking care of her campgrounds on Boulder Mountain for the Forest Service. Her flower and vegetable gardens were her pride and joy. She loved her family, enjoying 26 years of reunions each Labor Day at her home in Lyman. Lela is survived by her children, Sherman (Ruth) Lessley, Bozeman, MT; Nellie (Don) Welch, Lyman, UT; Audrey (Russell) Hilton, Sturgis, SD; Dianne (Robert) Brush, Fredonia, AZ; Alton (Barbara) Chappell, Lyman, UT; Marion (Buttons) Chappell, Lyman, UT; David (Kaye) Valdes, Pahrump, NV; George (Linda) Chappell, Aurora, UT. 34 grandchildren, 86 great-grandchildren, and 28 great-great grandchildren; her brother, Boyd Ackerman; sisters, Viva Taylor, Melba Turner, and Gelene Davies. Preceded in death by her husband, Glen; daughter, Gwen Stapley; son-in-law, Leland Stapley; one grandchild; three great grandchildren; her parents; two sisters, Vonda Taylor and Gwen Gough. Funeral services will be Wednesday, February 7, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. in the Lyman LDS Ward Chapel where family and friends may visit from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 prior to the services. Burial will be in the Lyman Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield, Salina and Gunnison, Utah.