Forrest Chapin, 86

Beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, friend and neighbor. Forrest Chapin, 86, passed away Feb. 11, 2022, at his home in Post Falls, Idaho. He was born Sept. 19, 1935, in Kellogg, Idaho, to Roy and Madeline (Wilson) Chapin.

Forrest grew up in the Rose Lake area, on a family farm that his parents homesteaded. Growing up he enjoyed building model airplanes, riding horses and fixing things. He was very mechanically inclined. In fact, the school bus driver would pick him up first just in case the bus broke down as Forrest could fix it. He also was a Boy Scout, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.

After graduating from Rose Lake High School in 1955, he enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed at McDill Air Force Base in Florida. During his service, he received several letters of commendation, including Airman of the Month for his dedication and excellent service. On Dec. 23, 1955, Forrest married Marie Mutch at the American Lutheran Church in Kellogg.

While stationed in Florida the young couple started their family with their son, Glenn, and daughter Janice, both born in Tampa, Fla. Soon after, Forrest was stationed in Kokomo, Ind., where they welcomed their next child, Larry. After being discharged from the Air Force, the family moved back to the Silver Valley where their youngest daughter Colleen was born.

As a mechanic, Forrest worked various jobs in the Silver Valley including Wellman’s Chevrolet, the Ford Garage and the Sunshine Mine. He also managed the Enco station in Kellogg. From 1974 to 1986, he worked for the Union Pacific Railroad as a road machinist traveling around the Pacific Northwest. After that he worked in Ketchikan, Alaska, until retiring.

In 1983, Forrest married his second wife, Jan Rautio. Together, they shared many fun adventures bowling, landscaping, traveling and fishing.

Forrest also enjoyed hunting, fishing and woodworking. Forrest was very gifted and talented and could fix almost anything that would come his way. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to his family, friends and neighbors. He also helped in the community “giving garden” for several years. He was very active at Calvary Lutheran in Post Falls.

He is preceded in death by his second wife, Janice; son Larry; and both his parents, Roy and Madeline Chapin.

He is survived by his first wife, Marie Skelton of Coeur d’Alene; his children, Glenn (Lucy) Chapin of Bayview, Janice (Orlando) Berti of Pinehurst and Colleen (John) Roberts of Kingston; 10 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 5, 2022, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Post Falls, with Pastor Matt Erickson officiating. Charitable donations may be made to Calvary Lutheran Church.