Beauford Edward Chapman, 84, of Austin, Minnesota, joined his heavenly Father on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019, at his home with his family around him.

Beauford was born to John and Lola (Prouty) Chapman on April 8, 1935, in West Union, Iowa. When he was around a year old, he and his parents and siblings moved up to Austin. Beauford was baptized at home on July 23, 1947, by the minister at the United Methodist Church. He attended Lincoln and Whittier grade schools, plus junior high and high school in Austin. He quit school in his senior year, but went back later and received his GED – high school diploma in June of 1964.

Beauford was hired by the Milwaukee Railroad on Feb. 17, 1953. He worked there until he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served from March 13, 1958, to March 3, 1960, having basic training and schooling at Fort Hood, Texas, and spending the rest of his time in Freiburg, Germany.

On May 31, 1958, he was married to Gloria Eva Eddy at Calmer Lutheran Church in Calmer, Iowa. This was his furlough; Beauford moved Gloria up to Austin, then returned to Fort Hood and Freiburg for the next 18 months.

In March of 1960, he returned home and went back to the Milwaukee Railroad, where he worked from 1953 to 1985. He worked for the Soo Line Railroad from 1986 to 1992 and finally the Canadian Pacific Railroad from 1992 to 1995, retiring after working for 42 years and nine months.

He and Gloria had four children: Beverly, Edward, David and Susan.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Gloria Chapman; children, Beverly Verschoor, Edward Chapman, David (Kim) Chapman and Susan (Craig) Linderoth; grandchildren, Melissa Verschoor, Anthony Chapman, Abraham Barr, Samatha (Eliazan Garcia) Barr, Jon Verschoor and Nikkita Chapman; several step-grandchildren, including Kayla and James Linderoth and Chelsey and Tony Schauman; great-grandchildren, Lydia Verschoor, Alexa, Fernanda, Damian and Elian Garcia Barr, Natalie and Aden Barr and Ava Chapman; and step-great grandchildren, Karyna Carlson, Ariana Reyes and Sophia Linderoth.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John (1963) and Lola (1947) Chapman; siblings, Russell (1912), Marcella (1974), Edna (1918), Irene (1999), Mildred (2006), Ruth (1947), Margaret (1999), Thelma (2000) and Ernest (1937); brothers-in-law; nieces and nephews; and a little angel who died at birth on Dec. 29, 1983.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019, at Worlein Funeral Home Chapel in Austin. There will be no formal visitation. Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery in Austin. Memorials can be directed to Grace Lutheran Church in Austin.

Services are prearranged and performed with Worlein Funeral Home of Austin. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.