Christopher D Stapel

Christopher Dwight Stapel, 45, of Wooster died on Friday, September 5, 2025 at his

home. Chris was born in Wooster on July 3, 1980.

Chris was married to the former Emily Green on August 13, 2011. She survives.

He was a Northwestern High School graduate and also graduated from Motorcycle

Mechanics Institute (MMI) in Orlando FL as a certified Harley Davidson Technician. He

worked as a Harley Tech for Liberty Harley & Boston Heights Harley, and machine

maintenance for HSM Services in Mississippi. His most recent position was in machine

maintenance for Sandridge Foods. He loved to party with his friends, loved Harley

motorcycles and had a close group of friends from high school that he considered

brothers. His smile lit up the world around him. His laughter was contagious. He was

never afraid to give those big hugs & say “I love you”. He would take care of his friends

& family before he would take care of himself. He was especially close to his brother

Andy & sister- in- law Holly plus his faithful dog Bodeen.

He is survived by his wife Emily of Wooster and his parents Roger & Peggy (Shelly)

Smith of Moreland. Brothers: Andy (Holly) Stapel of Wooster & Jason Smith of

Congress. Sisters: Sabrina (Louis) England of Canton, Jillian Imars of Canal Fulton,

Tiffany Painter of Rittman, Stephanie Smith of Medina and Stacy (Ryan) Niemiec of

Mansfield. He is also survived by his uncle, Dwight Stapel of New Martinsville WV and

his grandmother, Beulah Shelly of Wooster. He also leaves behind an uncle David

(Brenda) Shelly of Fairview TN & an aunt Deborah (Jim) Shearer of Wooster, many

cousins, nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Douglas Stapel, his grandparents Harry &

Grace Stapel, grandfather Emmett Shelly, his aunt Dianne Shelly & his best friend that

he considered a brother, Randy Nixon.

Calling hours & a celebration of life will be on Friday, September 12 from 6-8 pm at

Matteson Funeral Home in West Salem OH. In lieu of flowers donations may be given to American

Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023. Matteson Funeral Home is

honored to serve Chris’s family and the community. If you would like to share a photo or

memory of Chris with the family, please do so at mattesonfh.com.