Dorothy Diane Chappell

Dorothy Diane Chappell, age 77, of Brookfield, MO; passed away on Sunday December 3, 2023 at Life Care Center in Brookfield, MO. Dorothy Diane was born on August 21, 1946 in Los Angeles, California. Dorothy was a miracle, the only child of Raymond C. and Ada M. (Shoff) Doss and was finally adopted by her ecstatic parents when she was approximately 2 years old. The entire extended family celebrated. Dorothy’s parents and the other three Shoff sisters and their families had all moved to California in the 1940’s from Holton, Kansas. Whether it is the tie to Kansas and the Wizard of Oz or some Shoff superstition, the Shoff siblings named a daughter Dorothy if they had a daughter. Dorothy was the third Dorothy in the Shoff cousin rank. The oldest Dorothy cousin that was16 years older than Dorothy Diane, was a talented seamstress and had made Dorothy a 2-year-old a fancy dress for her first fancy photo shoot for her parents. That gold framed picture remained on her parents’ walls until their passing and then was hung on the oldest Dorothy wall until she passed. This special picture was then returned to Dorothy Diane. Dorothy and her family left California for Missouri when Dorothy was around 8 years old. Dorothy knew how hard it was to leave her aunts and cousins in California, but the Shoff sisters were very close and kept in constant contact with frequent letters. The California cousins and even those cousins’ children knew and had heard about Dorothy Diane Doss Chappell stories from these letters. One of the favorite stories is that she was allowed to have a pet monkey -twice. Although the California cousins visited infrequently over the years, they would take videos of Dorothy telling jokes so the entire family could enjoy her sense of humor. Dorothy worked at Brown Shoe factory before going to work at LT York in Brookfield. In June of 2001, Dorothy became a life time member of the VFW Auxiliary Post # 4557 in Brookfield, MO. Dorothy was a past President of the Brookfield Eagles Auxiliary #2463 and over the years, she still would go help out at the Eagles with the Bingo and dinners. Dorothy loved her cats and dog, but she loved all animals. She enjoyed going to McDonalds and visiting with her friends. Dorothy is survived by her dear friend Glenda Crawl and other friends in Missouri as well as numerous cousins in Kansas and California. She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Ada Doss. Memorial Services will be held at 10:00 am. Saturday, December 16, 2023, at Rhodes Funeral Home, Brookfield, MO: with Pastor Tom Parks. Visitation will be held from 9:00 am. to 10:00am. Saturday, December 16, 2023 at Rhodes Funeral Home, Brookfield, MO. Burial will be at a later date in Holton Cemetery, Holton, KS. Memorial donations have been suggested to the Linn County Humane Society and can be left at or mailed to Rhodes Funeral Home, 216 Linn Street, Brookfield, MO. 64628. Online condolences can be made at www.rhodesfh.com Services are under the direction of Rhodes Funeral Home, Brookfield, MO.

Dorothy Diane Chappell

August 21, 1946 - December 3, 2023