He was born July 28, 1926 in Montserrat, Missouri the son of Ellis Henry Chappell and Gladys L. (Murley) Chappell. He graduated from Knob Noster High School and attended the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg.  Howard was united in marriage to Dorothy Lillian Boosinger on April 20, 1944.  After his discharge from military service, he returned to Warrensburg where he went to work for Sears.  Howard was store manager for twenty-seven years.  Following his retirement, he worked for Walmart and later, he was a supervisor with Gates, now known as Enersys.  Howard was united in marriage to Mary Jane (Wickersham) Tinch on March 25, 2006 in Warrensburg.

Howard was a proud and dedicated supporter of the United States Marine Corp throughout his lifetime.  He enlisted in the Marines at the age of 17 and fought courageously with the Fifth Marine Division on Iwo Jima during World War II where he was wounded in battle and received the Purple Heart.

His grandfather Murley arrived in Montserrat on one of the orphan trains that ran through Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas.  Howard always celebrated this heritage.

Devoted to his community, Howard served as Mayor of Warrensburg from 1962-1967 and Mayor Pro Tem from 1975-1977.  He was also a past commander of the Matthews-Crawford American Legion Post 131 and was a life member and past commander of VFW Post 2513 of Warrensburg.

Howard loved meeting new people and spending time with old friends over coffee. He will be remembered as a loyal friend who was always eager to help. Howard will be greatly missed by many friends and family who cherish the memories of time spent in his company. Semper Fi.

Survivors include his wife: Mary Jane (Wickersham) Chappell, Warrensburg, MO; daughters: Mary Jane Gage (Mel), Warrensburg, MO; Dorothy Louise Bartlett (Wayne), Overland Park, KS; Sharon Atwood, Warrensburg, MO and Carol Pittman (Karl), Lawrence, KS; Son: Randy Tinch, Pleasant Hill, MO;  granddchildren: Kevin Coker (Becky), Cincinnati, OH; Dottie Marie Bartlett, Overland Park, KS; Chris Bartlett (Sherry), Olathe, KS; Joe Bartlett, Overland Park, KS; Howard (Levi) Chappell III (Danyelle), Chillicothe, MO; Haley Tinch, Pleasant Hill, MO; Allison Pittman, Lawrence, KS; Ryan Pittman, Lawrence, KS and Grace Atwood, Warrensburg, MO; 12 great grandchildren; sister: Una Masoner, Raytown, MO; brothers: Ellis Chappell, Jr., New Orleans, LA and Holmes Chappell, Fayetteville, AR.  He was preceded in death by his first wife: Dorothy (Boosinger) Chappell; son:  Howard "Sonny" Eugene Chappell, II; sister: Norma J. Chappell and brothers:  Melvin Chappell, George E. Chappell and James R. Chappell.

A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 7th at Williams Funeral Chapel in Warrensburg with Rev. Wayne Bartlett officiating.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. till service time, Saturday at the funeral home.

Interment will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday at Warrensburg Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Online condolences may be left at www.williamsfuneralchapel.net