Ina Chapin, 81, passed away Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021, surrounded by her family. Open visitation will be 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, at Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr, service beginning 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 26, 2021 at the funeral home. Masks are required at the services. The funeral will be livestreamed via her obituary page at www.armstrongfh.com.
Burial will follow in Allendale Cemetery in Allendale, Missouri. A memorial fund has been established in her name to be decided at a later date.
Ina Lee Chapin, daughter of James Eldon and Oleeta Mae (Weese) Scott, was born April 11, 1939, in Gentryville, Missouri. Ina grew up between Gentryville and Albany. She attended Albany High School and graduated with the class of 1957.
Ina was united in marriage to Neil Fletchall in 1957. To this marriage two daughters were born: Della Mae and Elizabeth Marie. Ina was a gifted musician who played the guitar in younger years and the piano throughout her life. She played at venues in St Joseph, Missouri and played with the Everly Brothers in their early years.
Ina worked at the Cap Factory in Stanberry, Missouri, as well as Places Store in Albany. She later worked at the Clinton Motel and Mount Ayr Community School before a 23-year career at the Ringgold County Hospital. She retired as the purchasing director.
In 1989, Ina married Glen Swank. They resided in Tingley and enjoyed their time together attending model airplane shows.
In 1998, Ina married Butch Chapin. They played music together and beginning in March 2001, they operated the Midwest Country Music Theater in Redding for nine years. Ina and Butch enjoyed sharing their music with people over the years.
Ina was a loving wife and mother who was able to be at home as her girls grew up. She filled the home with love. She was an excellent cook and her homemade egg noodles, rolls and apple pie will be forever remembered.
Ina was an excellent seamstress who could make everything from Easter dresses for her daughters to Barbie doll outfits for their Christmas presents. She always maintained a large garden and canned many quarts of strawberries. She set a great example of being a mother. She had a heart of gold and was universally loved. Her gentle spirit and soft touch will remain with all who knew and loved her.
Ina She was preceded in death by her parents; stepfather Richard Scott; and husbands Neil and Glen.
Those left to cherish and share her memory include her husband Butch Chapin of Redding, IA; daughters Della (Bryan) Pendegraft of Fulton, Missouri and Beth (Gary) Roder of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota; two grandsons Billy (Carrie) Egly of Auxvasse, Missouri and Drew (Chalsea) Roder of Lake Mills; seven great-grandchildren: Desirea (Ryan) Brewer, Amber Egly, Gavin Egly, Adrienne Egly, Gracie Roder, Jeneva Roder and Peyton Roder; one great-great-granddaughter Addilynn Brewer; stepson Beau Connely and step granddaughter Lillie; sister-in-law Jennifer (Monroe) Sawatzy; cousins, other relatives and friends.