Well-known Butler businessman, James Campbell “Jim” Chiprean Sr., 92, of Butler, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, at the Sergeant Joseph George Kusick VA Community Living Center.

Born in Butler on July 20, 1933, he was a son of the late John J. Chiprean and Anna Elizabeth DeMar Chiprean.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Madeline Spagnola Chiprean; his sons, James “Checkers” Chiprean Jr. and his wife, Cheryl, Tony Chiprean and John Chiprean; his dear grandchildren, Anna Elizabeth Chiprean and Sara Ann Chiprean; his twin brother, Jack Chiprean, and his wife, Jackie; and his former daughter-in-law, Kris Benkeser.

He is also survived by a brother, Brad Chiprean and his wife, Rebecca; a sister, Susan Chiprean; and their mother, Carol Chiprean Keller; and many nieces, nephews and wonderful friends.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Robert E. Chiprean; and an infant granddaughter, Madeline Ann Chiprean.

Jim enjoyed watching his three sons in all of their activities growing up, and cheering for his two beloved granddaughters in all of theirs.

Jim graduated from St. Paul School, Butler High School, where he was a member of the Class of 1952, and John Carroll University, where he received the Outstanding Bandsman Award.

Jim, along with his loving wife, Madeline, worked in the family’s business, Miller’s Shoes, for more than 60 years. The store, an institution in downtown Butler, has been in the same location since its founding in 1893. Miller’s Shoes also formerly operated stores in Erie, Meadville, Altoona and the Oakland section of Pittsburgh. Jim was a member of the Shoe Retailers Association and he was a recipient of the Golden Triangle “Shoe Retailer of the Year” award.

Active in the local business community, Jim served on all committees of the Butler Businessmen’s Bureau and was its president from 1967 to 1973. He was a director of the Butler County Chamber of Commerce from 1978 to 1987. He also was on the board of the Butler Credit Bureau.

Jim started a beloved downtown Butler tradition — the annual Spirit of Christmas Parade. Jim, a member of the Butler Businessmen’s Bureau, and City of Butler recreation director R. Perry Greenawalt together organized the parade in 1965, and it’s been a highly anticipated holiday event every year since. As a member of the Butler Jaycees, Jim each year helped to install the decorative Christmas lights along Main Street. He also made sure they remained lit for the entire holiday season and he repaired the lights in the offseason.

Music and music performance were vitally important in Jim’s life. Both of his parents were musicians, and Jim, when he was in high school, led the Moonlighters Orchestra with his twin brother, Jack, and his younger brother, Bob. All three boys continued their educations at John Carroll University, where they formed the Chiprean Brothers Orchestra and performed throughout the Cleveland, Ohio, area. They even brought their band to Butler for an engagement.

After college, Jim returned to Butler and played for many years with the Gene Schaffner Orchestra and the Frank Sawhook band. He performed at the Alhambra nightclub in Butler and booked for the Alhambra many of the acts from the Ed Sullivan television show, including the Fabulous Ink Spots, the Del-Vikings, and the Harmonicats, just to name a few.

Jim and Jack later performed throughout Western Pennsylvania with the Anthony James Band. At times, the Chipreans had three generations of family playing in the Anthony James Band. Jim was always very pleased to play many special events with his dad, John Chiprean, and to have his son, Jim Jr., sitting next to him for thousands of concerts and engagements. It was a point of pride that a performance by the Anthony James Band concluded the Summer Concert Series at Butler County Community College each year.

The Chiprean brothers were proud of the numerous young musicians who played in their bands through the years, many of whom became world-class performers and music educators.

Jim served as vice president of Local 188 of the American Federation of Musicians and attended many of the union’s conventions. He also played in the Local 188 Concert Band and, later, for more than 41 years, played every concert of the Musicians Concert Band under the direction of Blase Scarnati and Jeff Kroner. He never missed a performance.

For their dedication and contributions to music, in 1982, the John Chiprean family was named the “Musical Family of the Year” by the Butler Tuesday Musical Club.

A veteran of the U.S. Army, Jim graduated with high honors from the Army’s Transportation School and served with the 436th Transportation Battalion and the 332nd Movement Control Group. He was on active duty at Fort Eustis in Virginia, and later continued his service with the U.S. Army Reserve. He was an assistant to the commanding general of Fort Eustis during the Berlin call-up. Always a musician, he performed with the U.S. Army Band at Fort Eustis and with the Jamestown Settlement. He retired from the Army with the rank of captain. For his work, he received a letter of commendation.

Jim was a lifelong member of St. Paul Roman Catholic Church, and as a child sang in the boys’ choir with his brothers, Jack and Bob.

In his earlier years, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and boating with his dad, family and friends.

Jim was involved with the local Boy Scouts organization for many years. Among other things, he served as organization and extension chairman, starting up Cub packs and Scout troops throughout the area.

Antique cars were one of Jim’s passions. He was a longtime member of the Antique Automobile Club of America and the Butler Old Stone House Region Antique Automobile Club of America.

Jim was a life member of the Knights of Columbus Council 866, Butler, and American Legion Post 117, Butler. He was also a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, and he was a former member of Butler Moose Lodge 64.

The Chiprean family extends its sincere thanks and appreciation to the health care and support staff members of the VNA and VA Butler Healthcare.

We also send our deep love and gratitude to Dr. Tom Shetter and the Shetter family.

In addition, we must acknowledge Dad’s dear friends, Gail Paserba and Dave Zirnsak, Doug and Mickey Bell, Brad and Cheryl Cavaliero, and Roni and Ken Lucas for their loving support.

CHIPREAN — Friends of James Campbell “Jim” Chiprean Sr., who died Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, will be received from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at MARTIN FUNERAL HOME DOWNTOWN, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 15, at All Saints Parish, St. Paul Roman Catholic Church, 128 N. McKean St., Butler, with the Rev. Kevin C. Fazio officiating.

Military honors will be accorded at the church by American Legion Post 778, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 249 and VFW Post 499.

Burial will take place in Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested in Jim’s memory to Musicians Concert Band, 108 Harmony St., Evans City, PA 16033.

For more information, please visit www.martinfh.net.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.