CHAPUT, DOUGLAS P.

Douglas P. Chaput, 71, of Battle Creek, died Friday, May 1, 1992, at home. He had been ill for a year and a half.

Mr. Chaput was born April 14, 1921, in Houghton County to Patrick J. and Helen A. (Smith) Chaput.

He moved to Battle Creek in 1949 from Painesdale. He graduated from Painesdale’s Jeffers High School in 1939.

He worked at Eaton Corp. for 25 years and served as representative of United Auto Workers Sub Region 1C for 10 years. Before moving to Battle Creek, he was a copper miner in the Upper Peninsula and worked at Ford Motor Co. in Detroit. He also played ice hockey.

He served in the Marines during World War II from Aug. 28, 1942, to Jan. 25, 1946. As a private, he participated in action at Iwo Jima and Volcano Islands in the South Pacific.

He was a member of St. Philip Catholic Church, Eaton Quarter Century Club and Eaton Retirees. He was former president of United Auto Workers Local 196 and International Representative of the Sub Region.

Mr. Chaput enjoyed sports and coached city league baseball.

He ran for the District 9 state Senate seat in 1960 as a Democrat.

He married Barbara J. (Dunstan) Chaput on Aug. 24, 1946, in Atlantic Mine. She survives.

Also surviving are sons, Donald K. Chaput and Patrick H. Chaput, both of Kalamazoo; two grandchildren; and sisters, Corrine A. Coombe of Springfield, Ill., Mary E. Staton of Fort Smith, Ark., Sharon L. Hargis of Springfield, and Patricia A. Downs of Paw Paw.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Patrick J. and Helen A. Chaput.

Visitation: After 6 p.m. today at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home.

Services: 1 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. William J. Fitzgerald officiating.

Burial: Fort Custer National Cemetery. Military Committal by Fort Custer National Cemetery Honor Guard.

Memorials: Good Samaritan Hospice Care or Kidney Foundation.