Josephine L. (Bushnell) Chapel, 84, of Troy, better known as “Gramma Jo” went to be home with the Lord on Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at Cabinet Peaks Medical Center in Libby. She was born to Ray and Leona (Boomhauer) Bushnell on February 20, 1935 in Minot, North Dakota. She was the 5th of 8 children. She graduated from Minot High School in 1953 and moved to Troy, where she met and married the love of her life, Lonny Chapel on July 2, 1954. Together they had 5 children and 1 adopted daughter.
Gramma Jo found happiness in serving the Lord, her family and the Troy community. She showed this love through her love of children of all ages; volunteer work; service for the Troy community; and the kindness she showed to everyone she encountered.
Gramma Jo enjoyed bowling, church, the church choir, being a Sunday school teacher, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, volunteering at the Troy Food Pantry, JC’s, Kootenai Senior Citizen Center, Forest Services Takema Club, the Women’s Auxiliary, and was one of Troy’s earliest volunteer dispatchers.
She was preceded in death by her husband Lonny, adopted daughter Willie, son-in-law’s Don and Roger, daughter-in-law Billie and granddaughter Shannon.
Survivors include her 5 children, Larry (Teri) Chapel, Loni Swanson, and Dave Chapel, all of Troy; Cathy Pease-Briggs, Bonners Ferry; and Lola (Jeff) Penniman, Spokane; several grandchildren, 1 adopted granddaughter, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and the community she loved so much.
Services will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 23, 2019 at the Troy Community Baptist Church. Viewing will be from 12:00 noon – 1:30 p.m. at the church before services. A pot luck will follow after graveside services. Arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg Funeral Home in Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.
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