Stuart Ralph Chipman

Stuart Ralph Chipman of Spring Hill, FL was born on November 28, 1925 to Howard and Lucy Chipman in Detroit, Michigan. He died of natural causes on September 29, 2025, at age 99. He had two older brothers and two older sisters making him the youngest. 

He attended Detroit Northern High School and graduated in 1944. Upon graduation he went into the US Army (WWll) and served with General Patton’s Third Army in Belgium as part of the Battle of the Bulge. He was a decorated soldier and was  awarded two Purple Hearts, a Good Conduct Medal, the Bronze Star, and a WWII Victory Medal.

After the war ended, President Truman visited the troops in Germany and Stuart was honored to serve in his honor guard and meet President Truman during his visit. 

He was discharged in 1945 and returned to Detroit to attend the University of Detroit. He married Patricia Ann O’Connor in 1950. They had three children, Karen (1954), Gregory (1956) and Cheryl (1958). 

Stuart always had a passion for sports and was very active throughout his life playing baseball, football, and basketball in high school years, and later was very active in several softball, bowling and golf leagues. He also liked to hunt game birds, notably pheasants,  when he acquired English Setters and hunted with his brothers-in-law. He and his daughters pursued confirmation showing of his dogs and they were successful in finishing several champions. 

He had a productive career with the Detroit Edison Company, holding many positions throughout his tenure. In 1976, Stuart married Arlene McNaught (nee Bayne) and they lived in Northville, MI. He retired in 1987 and he and Arlene started spending time in Florida to pursue warmer climes and playing golf. They moved there permanently in 1988. 

In 2016, Stuart was fortunate enough to be able to go on the Honor Flight of West Central Florida with his daughter Karen as his attendant. Honor Flight takes WWll veterans to Washington DC to see the WWII memorial and to be honored by members of our present military. 

Stuart is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Arlene Chipman, daughters Karen Lishinski and Cheryl Chipman, daughter- in-law Louanne Chipman, step-daughter Andrea Annuniziata, step-son Curtis McNaught and several grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is still remembered affectionately as “Uncle Chip” to many nieces and nephews.

Stuart will be interned at the National Veteran’s Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. A memorial service will be held at the Downing Funeral Home  (www.downingfuneralhomeandcremation.com) in Spring Hill at 10:30am on Friday, November 7, 2025. A ceremony will follow at the cemetery at 12:30pm. Luncheon will be served at the Timber Pines Clubhouse around 3:30pm. Please RSVP for the luncheon.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Wounded Warrior Project are being accepted on Stuart’s behalf https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org

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