Ronnie Joseph Chappelle, born January 20, 1946 in New Orleans, LA, raised in Mobile and a current resident of Addison, passed into Heaven on Monday, September 7, 2026 in his sleep.
Ronnie went to St. Mary's Elementary School and McGill Institute for 12 years. He graduated from Mobile County High School in Grand Bay in 1964, immediately joining the U.S Navy and fought in Vietnam until 1968. After serving in active duty, he served in Naval Reserve MIUW unit and saw the Egyptian Pyramid and the countries near Israel. He served as a policeman in several venues in Mobile County and retired from the U.S. Department of Defense as a police sergeant.
Visitation will be Thursday, September 10, 2026 from 10-11 a.m. at Nichols Funeral Home, where his funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Burial will be at Arley Congregational Church Cemetery (Smith School House). Bishop Sam Parker will officiate.
Ronnie is survived by his of wife 57 years, Becky Chappelle of Addison; daughter, Tracy E. Chappelle of Waco, Texas; sons, Eric J. Chappelle of Mobile and Russell B. Chappelle of Double Springs; brothers, William E. Bland, Jr and Terry Bland of Pana, Illinois; maternal aunt, Margaret Cooley of Irvington and three grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Nellie Saranthus of Mobile and William Earl Bland of Pana, Illinois; his aunt, Mary Irene Chappelle of Mobile; several siblings and his grandparents.
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