WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Dr. Reggie L. Chorpenning, D.C., age 62, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away peacefully at home Tuesday morning, May 12, 2009.
He was born February 3, 1947, in Ft. Wayne, Ind., a son to Jack and Gwenevere (Jenkins) Chorpenning.
Dr. Chorpenning graduated from Hamilton (Indiana) High School with the class of 1965, attended Tri-State University, International Business College, and the National College of Chiropractic, graduating in 1971. On examinations, he was licensed to practice chiropractic in the states of Michigan, Iowa, and Kentucky.
On May 18, 1968, he was united in marriage to Cindy O. Wilson, Butler, Ind. Two sons, Jason and Ryan Chorpenning were born of this union.
He and his family moved to Sturgis in November 1971, where he started his chiropractic practice and served the surrounding communities for 38 years.
Dr. Chorpenning was a member of his professional organizations, Past Exalted Ruler and Ritual Coach of Sturgis Lodge No. 1381 B.P.O.E., where he won several awards including All American Coach for National Competition twice, Sturgis Eagles, Meridian Sun-Eagle Lodge No. 49 F.&A.M., Sturgis Chapter No. 26 R.A.M., Columbia Commandery No. 18 K.T., Saladin Shrine Temple A.A.O.N.M.S., and the Sturgis Shrine Club.
In his early years, he worked with his family where they traveled the county fair circuits with concession trailers producing and selling such confections as caramel corn, popcorn, candied apples, taffy candy sticks and taffy kisses, cotton candy, elephant ears, dogs on a stick, and lemonade. After meeting his wife, she also joined in the family business.
He enjoyed spending time with family, fishing, golfing, woodworking, and traveling. He also coached little league baseball and youth soccer, played softball and bowled for several years.
Surviving are parents, Jack and Gwenevere Chorpenning; his loving wife, Cindy, for 41 years; two sons, Jason Chorpenning of Sturgis and wife Christine (Furtado) and grandsons Matthew and Richard Furtado; Ryan Chorpenning of Lansing and wife Robyn (Curnow), grandson Mason and granddaughter Molly; one sister, Corinne Houser and husband Doug, of Waterloo, Ind.; mother-in-law, Helen Wilson of Butler; and three sisters-in-law, Bonny (Ken) Dyson, Wendy (Rick) Spencer, and Ricky Houser and several nieces and nephews.
Dr. Chorpenning was preceded in death by his father-in-law, R. Keith Wilson.
The family will receive friends and relatives from 6-8 p.m. Sunday and from 2-4 p.m., Monday at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes, Rosenberg Chapel, 807 E. Chicago Road, Sturgis.
An Elks service celebrating the life of Dr. Chorpenning will be held at 4 p.m. Monday at the funeral home by the Sturgis Elks Lodge No. 1381 Ritual Team.
Those wishing to make a memorial donation may consider the Elks National Foundation in care of Sturgis Elks No. 1381, 66200 Grey Lake Road, Sturgis, MI 49091, or the American Cancer Society. Envelopes are also available at the funeral home.
His obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.
