Ella "Ellie" Mae Chapman

She worked for the University of Illinois as a community liaison, at the Dupage County Department of Mental Health as a case manager, and worked as a therapy clown at nursing homes and children’s hospitals. Her clown name was Ellie Belle.

Ellie was an active member of the Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Evansville and the First Methodist Church in Elmhurst, IL. One of her many contributions to these churches was the annual “Wally Angel Tree,” which helped provide Christmas gifts for well over three thousand children since 1965. Members of both churches have promised to continue this tradition.

She is preceded in death by her devoted husband, Walter Chapman.

Ellie is survived by her daughter, Erin Bradley and husband, Mark; son, Tim Chapman and wife, Ellen; daughter, Cathy Woodall; granddaughter, Caitlin Dunnewold and husband, Josh; grandson, Ian Bradley and wife, Jennifer; grandson, Logan Bradley; and expected great-granddaughter, Macy Bradley.

Services will be 10:00 AM Monday, March 14, 2011, at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 5130 Lincoln Avenue, officiated by Rev. Mitch Gieselman with burial in Sunset Memorial Park. Friends may visit Sunday from 1:00 to 6:00 PM at Alexander East Chapel, 2115 Lincoln Avenue.

She was an outspoken advocate for civil rights and social justice. She often said that her role in society was to, “comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.” Therefore, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104 or splcenter.org.