Jack was born Jan. 10, 1937, in Winterset, Iowa, to Buck McKibben and Nola Baker.
Jack’s father, Buck, mother, Nola McKibben, and sister, Marilyn Hutchins, preceded him in death.
He is survived by his spouse Gretchen Chapman (Westphal); son, Jeff (Suzy) Chapman; grandchildren, Mitch Patterson, Jacob (Carli) Chapman, Clint (Madeline) Chapman and Grace (Lucas) Chapman; and great-grandchild, Leo Patterson.
Jack attended school in Adel before joining the military, where he volunteered to jump out of airplanes for the 101st Airborne Division.
However, Jack’s life truly began when he met the love of his life, Gretchen Westphal, at a local dance, where it was love at first sight. Jack and Gretchen were married for 64 beautiful years and were the family’s cornerstone. Jack recently recounted his first time seeing Gretchen and passionately recalled that she was “the prettiest damn girl in there!”
Jack was employed in many vocations, from police officer to regional manager at Goodyear, where he spent most of his professional career. In his “retirement” years, Jack worked part-time with one of his oldest and dearest friends, Kenny Chapman, at Adel TV and Appliance.
Jack was also a longstanding member of the American Legion in Adel and served in the honor guard, where he helped hundreds of veterans lay to rest.
Community service was paramount to Jack and evident through the many charitable acts he did without recognition throughout his lifetime. These included refereeing high school football games for nearly two decades, serving on the Adel City Council and serving in the Army Rangers, where he successfully made 27 para jumps.
Jack believed in the rule of law, doing the right thing and always holding yourself to the highest standard. Jack’s generosity and kindness are his legacy.
Jack took his responsibility as patriarch of the family seriously, and his unwavering devotion to Gretchen will be felt deeply in the Chapman family for years to come. Many great memories were made over the years, from hunting and fishing experiences to family vacations (be sure to ask Gretchen and Jeff about the lovely whitewater rafting trip while they were in Flaming Gorge, Utah), holidays and family get-togethers. Jack was constantly present, even when he stubbornly turned off his hearing aids.
Jack’s selfless actions will forever positively impact the Adel community. If you ever had the privilege of meeting Jack, we hope you pay forward the pursuit of kindness in his honor. While we won’t remember Jack for the way he tragically departed, we feel obligated to address the negligent circumstances that led to his death.
Jack loved his community and would not want the unsafe driving conditions of U.S. Highway 169 to take another life from his beloved, ever-growing community. We ask those who knew Jack to consider signing our petition and urging the state to address the careless lack of turning lanes and the dangerously high-speed limit on U.S. Highway 169 that ultimately took our dear Jack’s life with the hope that this will never happen again.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the First Christian Church of Adel or the American Legion in Adel.
A visitation for Jack will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, July 25 at the Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home-Adel Chapel. His funeral service will be Friday, July 26 at 11 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Adel. A graveside service will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30 at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery. Online condolences can be made to the family at caldwellparrish.com.
