Reed City Man Shares Memories of Island's Chapman
By Jeannette Doud

Joseph and Betty Joyce Chapman on their wedding day.

I would like to share this incredible story with family and friends. David Porteous, chairman of the Michigan State University board of trustees and his wife, Joan, a member of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, from Reed City, stopped by the Windermere Hotel to visit Margaret Doud and to pass along some very interesting information about their neighbor, Robert Harrison, who was born in Pickford but now lives two doors from them on the lake. Each week they share a copy of the Mackinac Island Town Crier with their friend.

In one edition, I wrote an article about the Veterans Memorial in the City Park, listing the names of the young Island men who gave their lives for their country. One name immediately touched Mr. Harrison's heart. It was that of Joseph Henry Chapman, age 23, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Chapman of Mackinac Island, who was killed in action May 4, 1945, while serving in the U.S. Army.

Mr. Harrison, who is now 85 years old, was stationed with Joe and was standing three feet from him when he was killed. This was more than 60 years ago, and Mr. Harrison has carried this memory close to his heart ever since, hoping and praying that someday he would come in contact with someone who knew Joe's family so that he could tell them that Joe died instantly and did not suffer. Through the Porteous', my name was given to Mr. Harrison, who called me from his home in Reed City. He is a wonderful gentleman, who was eager and grateful to learn that knew Joe personally. After all these years, Mr. Harrison found closure to a terrible tragedy. His dedication, compassion, and kindness to his young soldier friend was a heartwarming experience, bringing tears to my eyes.

Joe attended the Thomas W. Ferry School with all of us and was a great friend to my late brother, Pat Chambers, who also was born in 1922 and was serving in the U.S. Army at the same time. Joe's smile was a sign that he was about to start teasing the girls and playing tricks on them. Elizabeth "Betty" Joyce Wilson, daughter of Dorman and Melvina Marshall Wilson of Mackinac, was Joe's childhood sweetheart. Since the Chapman and Marshall homes were side by side on McGulpin Street in the Mission, Joe would serenade his girlfriend by playing the trumpet, to get her attention.

Betty Joyce and Joe were married August 14, 1943, at Ste. Anne's Church with Father Joseph Ling officiating. The wedding was beautiful, with two radiant young people starting a new life together. Following a short honeymoon, Joe returned to his unit in the Army.

Mr. Harrison recalls that he missed seeing Joe over the weekend and asked him, when he returned, where he had been. Joe smiled from ear to ear and told him that he had been married.

Joe's name is proudly displayed on the Veterans Memorial in the City Park. Joe rests in peace in the Island cemetery on Mackinac. Following his death, Betty Joyce made her home with her aunt and uncle, the late Evangeline and Raymond Horn. Betty Joyce's cousins are Candy Smith, Dee Czapek, Jane Simmons, Doug, Tim, Ed, and Joe Horn, and Paula McNamara of St. Ignace.

A special thanks to Mr. Harrison for sharing this remarkable story.