Lincoln "Link" Chapman

Lincoln Chapman better known as Link to the majority of the Fort Wayne African-American Community, the ultimate businessman is to be buried on June 23, 2007. Mr. Chapman has left his building.

From Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette:

LINCOLN "LINK" N. CHAPMAN, 80, of Fort Wayne, passed away Monday, June 18, 2007, at Bluffton Regional Medical Center. As an entrepreneur, he owned and operated several businesses over the years. Trained as an auto mechanic, he owned and operated a gas station, an auto repair business, a summer portable roller rink, Link's Gay Arena, and for the last 30 years, Link's Wonderland of which he was sole proprietor until the time of his death.

He was also involved in the opening of Ellis Funeral Home. Mr. Chapman served in the United States Air Force and was a member of the Par Tee Golf Club, NAACP, and St. Mary's Lodge #14 P.H.A. Fort Wayne Consistory #66 Saudi Temple #50. In addition, he supported many local community organizations and youth associations.


Surviving are his son, Lincoln N. Chapman Jr. of Cincinnati, Ohio; daughters, Alma Chapman, Alyssa Chapman and Treacy L. Dixie, all of Fort Wayne; siblings, Luellen "Doc" (Lucille), Ollie M. Smith and James (Eualeen) Chapman, all of Fort Wayne, Lucretia Brown, Marion (Delia) Chapman and Jesse Chapman, all of Detroit, Mich.; brother-in-law, Lewis Lapsley of Detroit, Mich.; sister-in- law, Leatrice Chapman of Detroit, Mich.; grandchildren, Kala K. Chapman and Timothy C. Dixie, both of Fort Wayne; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Luellen and Peggie Chapman; wife, Rosetta Chapman; son, Walter K. Chapman; four brothers; and two sisters. Service is 1 p.m. Saturday at Lighthouse Deliverance Cathedral, 1315 S. Hanna St. Calling is from 3 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at the church, with memorial services from 7:30 to 8 pm.

Memorials to American Red Cross or United Negro College Fund. Burial in Covington Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by Ellis Funeral Home.

Roscoe Scott Letter to the Editor:

My friend, Lincoln “Link” Chapman, who died Monday and whose funeral will be Saturday, influenced both the Fort Wayne black and white communities.

Black leaders held important meetings at Chapman’s business, and during significant community situations, white and black leaders met together.

As a newcomer and community organizer, I paid others to find out who were the influential black leaders in our community. I served as board president of several local organizations, and there was no man whose innate wisdom influenced my decision-making more than Chapman.

He shunned recognition. I tried to give him several community awards, but he preferred to stay out of the spotlight.

He was a true black pioneer and local hero. A small man who fixed cars after moving up from the South, Chapman noticed that black kids had little to do. He opened a black skating rink, and Chapman became the caring father figure for young black boys and girls by the hundreds. He was a role model, disciplinarian, baby sitter, employer and caring, respected adult. Chapman altered many lives for the better.

They don’t make great leaders as wonderful as Chapman anymore.

ROSCOE T. SCOTT
Fishers

Benjamin Lanka of the Journal-Gazette article on Mr. Chapman here.

Terra Brantley conducted an Interview with Mr. Chapman before his passing that can be found in Fort Wayne INK newspaper.