Charlene “Susie” Kay Chapman, age 77, of Vicksburg, Michigan, passed away February 22, 2026, at Rose Arbor after a short battle with acute myeloid leukemia.

Susie was born in December 1948 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to Eugene and Marion Mason. In April 1972, she married Jimmy Chapman, who preceded her in death in September 2025.

Susie worked for many years at Plastic Engineering Incorporated before becoming a stay-at-home mother to her daughter and two stepsons. After the children were grown, she returned to the workforce at H & B Market, where she worked as a cashier and later in the meat department for many years before retiring.

Susie loved spending time with her daughter, son in law, grandchildren, family, and friends. Summers were often spent enjoying the lake—swimming, boating, riding the golf cart, biking, swinging, and taking long walks with her daughter, son in law, and grandchildren. She also enjoyed golfing in her women’s league, attending family reunions, and playing golf with friends. One of her greatest joys was attending the many athletic events of her grandchildren.

In the winter months, Susie and Jim enjoyed the snow in Northern Michigan snowmobiling and eventually they took up cross-country skiing. Later in life, the couple also enjoyed escaping the cold by spending winters in Florida surrounded by her family and many friends.

Susie is survived by her daughter, Tammy (Scott) Coates; grandchildren Casey Coates, Taylor (Shawn) Finn, and Matt (Ashley) Chapman; great-grandchildren Parker and Hadley Chapman; brother Darwin (Margot) Mason; sisters Darlene Barnette, Deborah (Ronald) Musselman, and Gaylee (Douglas) Hite; brother-in-law Gary Chapman as well as three aunts and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Eugene Mason; stepmother, Ione Mason; stepfather, William Hobaugh; stepsons Brent and Kent Chapman; nephews Michael Musselman and John (Jonny) Barnett Jr.; her in-laws Raymond and Fern Chapman; and her brother and sister in-law Terry and Sharon Chapman.

A celebration of Susie’s life will be held at Avink, McCowen and Secord Funeral Home, 5975 Lovers Lane, Portage, Michigan 49002, on April 18, 2026. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by a service officiated by Pastor Thomas Kragt from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. 

Memorial donations may be made in Charlene “Susie” Chapman’s name to Rose Arbor Hospice Care, 5473 Croyden Ave., Kalamazoo, Michigan 49009, or First Presbyterian Church of Schoolcraft, 224 E. Cass Street, Schoolcraft, Michigan 49087.

While visiting Susie’s webpage at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please sign the guestbook and/or share a memory with the family.

The family is being assisted by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, 129 S. Grand St. Schoolcraft, MI 49087, (269 679-5622).