Barbara Nichols Chappelear, 74, of Malta , passed away at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, November 10, 2011 at her home, following a brave struggle with a lengthy illness.

She was born on February 18, 1937 , in the Homer Township, Morgan County, farmhouse of her parents, John Leslie and Gladys B. Armstrong Nichols. From her birth, she attended the Pisgah United Methodist Church of Union Township, of which she was a life member. As a child, she fondly remembered her grandfather, Amos Armstrong, being the Sunday School Superintendent: her grandmother, Adella Price Armstrong, playing the old reed organ at the church; and the late Mildred Vickroy as her Sunday School teacher.

She was a graduate of Homer-Union High School. She retired after 30 years of service from the Malta National Bank in Malta. She served four terms as Clerk of Malta Township. She was very proud to be a member of the Amanda Barker Devin Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution of McConnelsville, Mrs Cappelear traced her lineage, through her mother, Gladys Armstrong Nichols to Moses Mingus, who enlisted in the Continental Army at the age of 17 years old to fight for America's independence, and later settled in the Ohio wilderness in what is now Homer Township. Mrs Chappelear was also a member of the Morgan County Historical Society.

For many years, she volunteered by singing in local nursing homes, with her brother, Paul Nichols, playing the Guitar. Music and singing were an important part of her life. She knew most of the hymms in the Methodist Hymnal and could sing them from memory without looking at the words.

She was the wife of Ron Chappelear whom she married November 13, 1993. She was the mother of Brian McKee of McConnelsville, and Darla (Brian) Jones of McConnelsville; and grandmother to Brittany Jones.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by four sisters, Dortha Pedicord, Ruth Carter, Nelva Kasler, and Vashti Stephenson; She was preceded in death by two brothers, Jack Nichols and Paul Nichols. In addition to her children she is survived by two brothers Charles Nichols and Elvin Nichols; and two sisters-in-law Thea and Mary Lou Nichols of Malta.

Calling hours will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, November 13, 2011 at the Miller-Huck Funeral Home , 62 S. 7th Street, McConnelsville. Service of Christian Resurrestion will be at 1 p.m. Monday, November 14, 2011 at the Pisgah United Methodist Church, 8400 Pisgah Church Lane , off of St Rt 78 near Burr Oak State Park, with Pastor Phil Thomas officiating. Burial will follow in Maplewood Cemetry near Burr Oak State Park.

At her request Memorial Contributions may be made to the Pisgah United Methodist Church , c/o Sharon Williams 3399 S. St Rt 78 Glouster, Ohio 45732. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.miller-huck.com.