Graveside services for John M. "Mac" Chapell, 98, of Columbia, will be held on Friday, December 22nd, at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road, officiated by the Rev. Tiffany Knowlin Boykin.

Mac was the first-born son of the late John Maxwell Chappell, Sr. and Annie Lou Spotts Chappell, from Newberry, SC. He attended Newberry Schools and Graduated from Newberry High School. After graduation he enlisted in the Marines at the age of 18 years old. He served at Iwo Jima and there he experienced a foretaste of Hell; one that no one would ever want to experience. It was an experience that he chose not to talk about. He and his fellow Americans from the 26th Regiment of the 5th Marines, 1st Battalion were there when the flag was raised at Iwo Jima. After 36 days on the island only 11 returned home. They received a presidential Unit Citation. After returning he was stationed and honorably discharged at Camp LeJune, NC.

After his military duty he went back to Newberry to work with his uncle at Spotts Construction for a couple of years. He then went to work at Newberry Mills, where he met the love of his life, Sadie Franklin. They were married for 62 years. Having no children, Mac and Sadie adopted the neighborhood children as God children and became grandparents to some at Columbia College.

After applying for jobs at the age of 20 he found out he had TB, which they found he contacted in Japan. He was sent to a hospital in Otee, NC. After some treatment he was transferred to a hospital in Swannanoa, NC. He was there for 3 years and there he got interested in X-RAY. After being released, he was sent to Oliver General Hospital in Augusta, GA to have a wedge of his Lung removed due to the TB. Soon after coming back to Columbia, he met Mr. Gus Smith at Columbia Hospital who helped Mac get into school to learn to be an X-Ray technician.

He finished his schooling and then applied at the A.T. Moore Orthopedic Clinic. He found his calling and worked there for 40 years and retired in 1991.
He was very active in the American Legion for 70 years. He was past master of Post 55 and later transferred to post 130 in West Columbia, SC. Mac was presented the quilt of Valor by the post.

He was a lifelong member of College Place UMC, prior to their closing. He served on many committees and was a member of the Leisure Club, Softball Team and Men's Club. He was also a former member of St. Luke United Methodist Church.

He and Sadie were also involved in the Yellow Rock Square Dancing Club of West Columbia for many years.

Mac was the oldest of 6 children. He is survived by his sister, Mary Ann Wilson of Atlanta, GA.; brother, Don (Patsy) of Newberry, SC; and several nieces and nephews; and his god daughter, Cindy Leitner (Claude); a dear friend, H. David Williams; and his caregivers, Cathy "CJ" Jeffcoat and Kathleen Carter.

Mac was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Sadie Franklin Chappell; his brothers, Charles "Chuck" Chappell, Joe Chappell and also Tommy Chappell who passed away at 18 years of age due to brights disease.

Cindy and David would like to thank all for the calls and loving kindness shown to Mac during this difficult time and especially to "CJ" for her loving care.

At Mac's request, memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.

Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.