

Don’t remember me with sadness.
Don’t remember me with tears.
Remember all the laughter
We’ve shared throughout the years.
Now I am contented
That my life was worthwhile,
Knowing as I passed along the way
I made somebody smile. "
Obituary
Bonnie Lea Chappel (née Jackson) was born on August 24th, 1949, to parents Jack and Elaine in Tacoma, Washington, where she would spend most of her childhood along with her younger siblings, Gerry, Nancy, and Luann. As a young girl, she enjoyed playing with paper dolls and reading comic books, and she would often be sung to sleep by her father with a lullaby that she would later sing to her own children and grandchildren. She also spent a lot of time with her maternal grandparents at the family-owned rodeo, where her grandfather, Glenn Betts, would perform rope tricks on his "wonder horse" named La Paloma. When Bonnie was in 8th grade, she met Jim Chappel in their shared choir class at Keithley Middle School, and they went on to be friends throughout high school. Graduation came and went, and as the two became closer, they fell in love and were married on June 22nd, 1968, at Tacoma's First Presbyterian Church. Bonnie believed that something inside of her "knew" something inside of Jim and that they were simply meant to be together.
Jim and Bonnie's careers led them to various places, including Seattle and even Anchorage, Alaska, where they welcomed their first child, Carrie, in 1970. Though their stay in Alaska only lasted a year or so, they made many memories that they would carry with them back to Tacoma in 1971. Five years later, their son Christopher was born, and when he was a toddler, the family relocated to Puyallup, where they eventually settled down in the "family home". They lived in this house for 25 years, watching their children grow up and, in 1999, welcoming their first grandchild, Elliott. During this time, Bonnie went to modeling school and would be featured in several runway and photo ad campaigns before later finding work in Weyerhaeuser's Analytical Chemistry Lab, a position she would hold for 24 years until her retirement in 2007. Bonnie was beloved both in and out of the workplace for her vibrant personality, kindness, and her way with people, which gained her many friends over the years.
Once Bonnie had retired, she and Jim started living as snowbirds, spending their winters at their second home in Buckeye, Arizona, before deciding to live there full-time starting in 2011. They met and befriended many other residents and always had some kind of get-together planned, whether it was a dinner party, a round of golf, or karaoke night at the clubhouse. Then, following the births of their second and third grandchildren, Kieran and Moira, in 2014 and 2018, they made the decision to move to Beaumont, California in order to be closer to their family. While it was hard saying goodbye to the community they'd built, they kept in touch and made sure to make time for vacations and cruises with some of their dearest friends. Of course, Bonnie joined Jim in making many new connections, too, easily making an impression with her positive attitude, wonderful sense of humor, and thoughtful nature. She spent her spare time baking, singing and dancing, and—most importantly—making memories with her family and friends.
Bonnie passed away in her home on August 19th, 2025, from complications of Lewy Body Dementia, in the company of her devoted husband Jim. They were married for 57 years.
Bonnie's Family
“A limb has fallen from the family tree.
I hear a voice that whispers, ‘GRIEVE NOT FOR ME.
Remember the best times, the laughter, the songs—
The good life I lived WHILE I WAS STRONG.’”
Parents:
M.W. “Jack” Jackson (1918–1974)
C. Elaine (Betts) Jackson (1924–1999)
Husband:
James Chappel (1947–)
Children:
Carrie Chappel (1970–)
Christopher Chappel (1976–)
Grandchildren:
Elliott Ector (1999–)
Kieran Chappel (2014–)
Moira Chappel (2018–)
Siblings, In-laws & Niblings:
- Gerry Jackson (1951–2022)
Terri Jackson (1954–)
Dan Jackson (1973–)
Amanda (Jackson) Spruell (1976–)
Randy Jackson (1977–)
- Nancy (Jackson) Hosler (1955–)
Thomas Hosler (1953–)
Larissa (Hosler) Mellor (1990–)
Cameron Hosler (1992–)
- Luann (Jackson) Corso (1960–)
Pat Corso (1958–)
Michelle (Corso) Redline (1983–)
Michael Corso (1984–)
- Jennifer Rocks (1977–)
Gallery
Videos
Memory Wall
About 20 years ago, Bonnie changed things up by wrapping everyone's presents in different paper and not putting tags on the packages. That way, she could wrap everything early and no one would know which gifts under the tree were theirs! Then, she put a piece of each person's paper in their stocking so they could find their packages on Christmas morning. The kids loved it, and even the grandkids got their own paper when they were old enough.
Bonnie also decorated the guest bath downstairs in our Washington home to be Christmas all year round. We had it that way for at least 10 years, and people loved seeing it. It was a real conversation starter. She loved watching Christmas movies—her favorite was Elf—and we always watched the Muppet Christmas Carol on Christmas Eve. She also really liked Hallmark Christmas movies.
Of course, Bonnie loved a lot of Christmas music, especially the Carpenters' Christmas album, and she always wanted to start playing Christmas music early, around August. Her favorite Christmas song was "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas"—specifically the original Gayla Peevey version.
We had other traditions through the years as well, and I know we’ll try to carry many of them on. It won’t be the same without Bonnie, though. She was the glue of Christmas, and I think she built a sort of Christmas legacy for us. This season, and every Christmas to come, we’ll remember Bonnie’s joyous Christmas Spirit.



From Lodge events to gatherings at their home—usually involving cards or some kind of game—Bonnie created joy wherever she was. During COVID, they even organized a 6-feet-apart social hour, and showed up at our murder mystery dinner in full costume. She embraced life with laughter and style.
In the early days, we enjoyed line dancing, karaoke, and celebrating our birthdays together, just a day apart. It’s so hard to believe that such a beautiful “flame” has gone out, but the warmth and light Bonnie shared will always remain with us.”






We have great memories of our road trips together and our "dinner club" - 5 couples that had wonderful dinner parties at each others homes for 15 years. We remember that Bonnie loved Christmas, "Good Morning America", Taco Time, music, Chris , Carrie, Her "Little People" and real whipped cream. We enjoyed so much visiting Jim and Bonnie in Arizona and loved getting singing phone calls on our birthdays.
A Shining Light has gone out. She will be missed and remembered .



Ann

George and Ann

Bea and Jim
Hugs! -MB
I just started a management training program 2 weeks before our wedding and could only get one day off. So we left for a 2-day honeymoon to Vicoria BC about 8 PM on our wedding day. We drove North until we were hungry and decided to stop for the night in Everett WA. We selected the Rip Van Winkle Motel for our wedding night - we didn't know any different. I took our marriage license to check in thinking they might not rent us a room. They did and we had our first night together. This became quite the joke in later life because nobody would actually choose the Rip Van Winkle!
Bonnie called home the next morning to check in and was embarrased to talk with her Dad - becasue now he would know what we did! Memories





We were so heartbroken to hear about Bonnie. Thinking of all the good times we shared – those amazing Super Bowl parties, the hilarious Christmas gatherings, and even those "Cast on, Cast off" parties! Bonnie always made everyone feel so comfortable and loved. She'll be truly missed.
We're sending you tons of love and support during this tough time. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need absolutely anything at all – whether it's a shoulder to cry on. We're here for you.
Thinking of you,
Mike and Marie Baker

Remembered you and Bonnie singing "Sunrise, Sunset " at the rehearsal dinner.
And grateful that you both joined us in December 1993 on my parent's 50th anniversary cruise.. photo attached..
I will miss her good humor and smiling face !

I am so sorry for your loss and for what Bonnie (and your family) suffered as she dealt with this horrible condition. I will be donating, in memory of Bonnie, using the link you've provided.
Matt, Dan, and I send our sincere condolences to you, Carrie, Chris, and your grandchildren.
Bonnie was especially kind to my husband and when she embraced him with that stellar hug, time stood still for a moment. Bonnie was indeed one of the good ones. ❤️

I knew instantly which one. It was a soft peach glass heart. Bonnie said, "OH! That is my favorite heart too! But please, take my heart."
So I did.
The day Bonnie passed away that heart cracked.
I will always cherish Bonnie's beautiful heart.











Lewy Body
www.lbda.org/donate
Lewy body dementia (LBD) is the second most common form of dementia behind Alzheimer's, but most people have never heard of it. The disease was first identified through the discovery of abnormal protein deposits, later named Lewy bodies, in the early 1900s by Frederick Lewy. The understanding of LBD as a distinct form of dementia, however, developed much later, with the first case reports and diagnostic criteria emerging in the 1970s. Kenji Kosaka, a Japanese psychiatrist and neuropathologist, reported the first autopsied case of "diffuse Lewy body disease" in 1976.
LBD is a terrible disease that progresses much faster than Alzheimer's. The Lewy body acids move about in the brain destroying the connections to the muscles and most bodily functions, and near the end stages, the patient is completely incapacitated. Lewy body dementia is distinguished from Alzheimer's disease by symptoms like movement disorders (including Parkinsonism), hallucinations, and fluctuating alertness, which are less common or appear later in Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's disease primarily begins with memory loss and a steadier, more gradual decline, whereas LBD symptoms can emerge quickly and are often a combination of cognitive, behavioral, sleep, and movement issues. There is no cure or treatment for LBD, and there is no definitive way to diagnose it or tell if a person had it until an autopsy is performed—but that may change thanks to research currently being done on diagnosis methods. You can help by making a donation to the Lewy Body Dementia Association.
We thank you very much for contributing to such an important cause that is so close to our hearts.

