Charles Chapman, former circuit and appellate judge, dies

Former Madison County and Fifth District Appellate Court Judge Charles Chapman has died.

Chapman, 69, of Edwardsville, died May 15 at his home.

Visitation will take place Wednesday from 3 to 8 p.m. at Irwin Chapel, 3960 Maryville Road in Granite City.

Further visitation will continue from 9 a.m. until service time at 10 a.m. on May 19 at St. John Lutheran Church, 2001 St. Clair Ave. in Granite City. Revs. Heath Curtis and Les Mitkos Jr. will officiate.

Burial will follow Sunset Hill Memorial Estates in Glen Carbon.

Born in 1942, Chapman received his doctor of juris prudence from St. Louis University in 1969. He also held a master's in law degree from the University of Virginia.

He had been a partner with the Wood River-based Lakin Law Firm, later renamed LakinChapman LLC, since 2001.

Chapman practiced with the Granite City firm of Chapman and Chapman for 12 years before becoming a Madison County circuit judge in 1979.

Serving on the Third Judicial Circuit Bench until 1988, Chapman then served as a Fifth District Appellate Court judge until 2001.

Chapman coauthored two books on legal issues.

He was also an adjunct professor with the St. Louis University School of Law from 1982 to 2001.

Chapman is survived by his wife, Judith Ann Chapman, three children, five grandchildren and other relatives.

Memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church, where Chapman was a member. The church is located at 6409 Quercus Grove Road, Edwardsville, IL 62025.

Memorials may also be made to the Charles W. Chapman Memorial Scholarship Foundation in care of the S.I.U.E. Foundation, Campus Box 1082, Edwardsville, IL 62026 and may be accepted at the funeral home. www.irwinchapel.com.