George H. Chandler Jr., 79, of Allegan, passed away peacefully Nov. 25, 2016, at Wings of Hope in Allegan after an extensive battle with cancer. George was born Oct. 24, 1937, in the Kalamazoo area; he was the oldest of three sons born to George Sr. and Corretta (Ryder) Chandler and was a lifelong area resident.
He married Sue Carol Lockner in 1959 and they were married for 47 years. They raised four children together, Diane (Patrick) Fitzsimmons of Allegan, Karon Sue Chandler, Mark (Patricia) Chandler of Galesburg and Tammy Chandler of Kalamazoo.
George retired as a truck driver from B&B Trucking in Kalamazoo. His earlier employment included hauling steel and prior to that working at a local paper mill.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and spoke often of his time spent in Texas and Germany while enlisted.
George enjoyed spending time with his friends and family playing cards, bingo and socializing. He also loved traveling and watching movies and shows, especially westerns.
He was preceded in death by both of his younger brothers, Jerry Lee Chandler and Franklin Charles Chandler; his wife, Sue Carol (Lockner) Chandler; his daughter, Karon Sue Chandler; a grandson, Alan Michael Chandler; a granddaughter, Brandy Lynn Chandler; and his lifelong friend Richard Van Antwerp. He has had 16 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. George will be dearly missed by all of those who knew and loved him.
A memorial service to commemorate his life will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th St., Kalamazoo, with Pastor Greg Carlson officiating. Interment will follow at Genesee Prairie Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family at the funeral chapel from 1 p.m. until time of the service.
Please visit George’s personalized web page at www.langelands.com to sign the online guest book or leave a message for the family.
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