D. James Chapman

James Chapman, 80, of Sterling, died Tuesday afternoon. His loving wife of 57 years is the former Shirley Strada.

Born in Hamlin, he was the son of the late Clifton and Dorothy Deming Chapman. He was a member of the Lake Consolidated School Class of 1958. For 41 years, Jim and his wife owned and operated the former J & J Lounge in Hamlin. After selling the J & J, Jim went on to own and operate Jim’s Flag Car Service for the past 14 years. He served in the PA Army National Guard.

An active member of the community, Jim was a member of the Salem Community Church, Hamlin, Life member of both the Elmhurst Country Club and Lakeview Hunting Club. He was a member of the Lake Region Longbeards Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Lake Ariel Lions Club, the STAFF Sgt. Paul A. Sweeney Memorial Post 807 in Hamlin, and the NRA.  Jim was currently serving on the Wayne Health Services Board, the Wayne Industrial Development Authority, and the Wayne Health and Hospital Authority. He also served as President of the Southern Wayne Chamber of Commerce and the Pike-Wayne Tavern Association.

Jim was an avid sportsman throughout his entire life and was inducted into the Wayne County Sports Hall of Fame.  Hunting was his first sport and he shared that love of the outdoors with his granddaughter, nephews and numerous friends and fellow hunters.  He was a baseball and softball player and was proud about being the middleman on a true triple play in his career.  He bowled, played pool and darts and sponsored numerous bar league and youth sports teams throughout his life.

In retirement Jim enjoyed mowing lawn and plowing snow.  He checked on friends and family and helped them in anyway.  He has many, many “adopted” sons and daughters and will be remembered as a dedicated friend and family man.

Also surviving are his daughter Vicky Botjer and her husband Art of Lake Ariel; granddaughter Emma Sexton and her husband Aaron of Denver, CO; grandsons Michael Botjer and his wife Nicole of Browndale and Kevin Botjer of Lake Ariel; sisters Wendy D’Agostino and her husband Nick of Sterling and Judith Franc of Lake Ariel; sister-in-law Hilda Chapman of Lake Ariel and JoAnne Bates and her husband Gary of Sterling; nieces Kelly Teeple, Teri Crisp, and Danielle D’Agostino; nephews Brian Chapman, Scott Franc, Ed Strada and Kevin Bates; several great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a brother Donald “Sam” Chapman.

Due to the current health crisis, funeral services private at the convenience of the family.  Pastor Wendy D’Agostino will officiate at his service.

A Celebration of Life will be held virtually on March 24th at 11am.   To view the service please visit the funeral home’s Youtube channel.

Arrangements have been entrusted to and are under the care and direction of James Wilson Funeral Home, Lake Ariel.

The family encourages memorial contributions be made in Jim’s name to the Wayne County Community Foundation, 214 9 ^th St, Honesdale, Pa 18431 or the Wayne Memorial Health Foundation, 601 Park St, Honesdale, Pa 18431

To share a memory or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.jameswilsonfuneralhome.com