Chad A. Lape

Chad A. Lape
(November 19, 1979 – December 24, 2020)

Chad Alan Lape, 41, of Charleston, IL, formerly of Shelbyville, IL, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, December 24th, 2020 in Whiteland, IN.

A graveside service for family and friends will be held at noon on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 in Hubbartt Cemetery, near Beecher City, IL. Arrangements are by Howe and Yockey Funeral Home in Shelbyville, IL. Memorials may be given to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church or Saving Orphaned Animals, both in Shelbyville, IL and mailed to Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, 415 N. Broadway, Shelbyville, IL 62565. Due to Covid-19, the family requests that masks be worn, and social distancing be observed.

Chad is survived by his wife, Jennifer of Charleston, IL; mother and stepfather, Brenda and Alan Reynolds of Shelbyville, IL; brother, Tony Lape and wife Rachel of Shelbyville, IL; step-brother Heath Reynolds of Decatur, IL; step-sister, Kelly Reynolds of West Frankfort, IL; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Lynne and John Thomas of Jerseyville, IL; brother-in-law, Matthew Thomas of Jerseyville, IL; nephew, Anthony Lape of Shelbyville, IL; and nieces Elise Lape and Savannah and Shelby Barnhart all of Shelbyville, IL.

Chad was born in Decatur, IL on November 19, 1979 to Gale E. and Brenda K. (Rodgers) Lape. He graduated from Shelbyville High School in the Class of 1999 and decided to continue his education at Lake Land Community College where he earned his Teacher’s Aide Certification. He had a love of children and would often turn into one when he was around them. Chad later realized his love to travel and found a way to have a career and do something he loved. He decided to follow in his family’s footsteps and started driving a semi over the road and seeing parts of the country he had never seen. It was a career he loved and took great pride in doing since he was a 3rd generation trucker. Chad would often say if he had a light load that he must be “hauling sailboat fuel.” Chad was employed by McLeod Express in Decatur, IL and previously drove for Parrish Trucking in Freeburg, IL. When time allowed, he also enjoyed bike riding and hiking, but truck driving was his passion. Chad loved his family and friends. He would be there to help if needed and would insist on paying no matter what.

On June 22, 2019, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Shelbyville, IL, Chad married the love of his life Jennifer L. Thomas. They had a love like no other where they always put each other’s needs before their own. When Chad was home from work, they often would visit friends and family, enjoy dinner at some of their favorite restaurants, or work on their home. Wherever they were, you could tell he deeply loved his wife and would do anything for her.

Chad was preceded in death by his father, Gale Lape; maternal grandparents, Jacqueline and Charlie Rodgers; and paternal grandparents, Novella and Delbert Lape.