David Leroy “Hap” Chandler
Mr. David Leroy “Hap” Chandler, age 78, of Cross Plains, passed away Saturday, April 27, 2019. Hap as he was known by many people entered this life on July 27, 1940 on Graham Road near Madison. He was the oldest of seven children born to the late Thurman and Mable McGee Chandler. David’s family moved to Cross Plains shortly after his birth and that is where he grew up and was a 1958 graduate of the Cross Plains High School. He furthered his education attending one year at Ball State University. On November 28, 1959, he married Anita McCauley in Dewberry, Indiana. This happy union of nearly 60 years was blessed with two sons, Timothy and Jeff. David and Anita moved immediately to Cross Plains, Indiana where he lived the rest of his life.
David was a founding member of and a lifelong member of the Laughery Valley Fish and Game Club, a forty year member of Canaan Masonic Lodge No. 581 F. & A.M. serving as secretary of the lodge in Canaan, Indiana. David served as chairman of the Democratic Party in Ripley County, Indiana for a period of seven years. He was a member of the 40 & 8, the Madison Moose Lodge No. 765 for 33 years, the American Legion Post No. 292 for 34 years, and a lifetime member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Post No. 2018 and was commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel by the Governor of Kentucky. In 1960 David began working for the Monsanto Chemical Company; he worked there for 35 years in production and as a mechanic. He was vice-president of Local 561 Chemical Workers Union for a number of years. David was baptized into Christ and became a member of the Salem Christian Church in Cross Plains, now the Cross Plains Church of Christ.
He loved his country, community, UK Wildcats, his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved buying and selling “articles too numerous” to mention and set up every spring and fall at the Friendship Flea Market for over 40 years. He believed in strongly and held dear to his heart the family farm, his family and his friends. He had always said that he wanted to “live respected and die regretted.” He had owned the Cross Plains Mill for many years and set and waved from the porch daily for many years. David died on Saturday, April 27, 2019, at 10:15 a.m. at the River Terrace Health Campus in downtown Madison.
David will be missed by his loving wife of nearly 60 years, Anita McCauley Chandler of Cross Plains; his loving son, Jeff Chandler and his wife, Robin of Cross Plains; his beloved grandsons, Timothy Chandler and his wife, Erin of Madison, Charlie Chandler of Cross Plains, Dylan Chandler and his wife, Laura of Cross Plains; his adoring great grandchildren, Jasmine, Austin, Harper, Cooper, Hudson, Emily, and Lincoln; his sisters, Wanda Powell of Tams, Illinois, Judy Cole of Madison, Jean Tipton of Kent, Sharon Turner of Bedford, Kentucky; his brothers, Keith Chandler and his wife, Benna of Kent, Steve Chandler and his wife, Linda of Cross Plains; several nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his father, Thurman Chandler, died August 14, 1979, his mother, Mable Ruth McGee Chandler, died December 14, 2006, his son, Timothy David Chandler, died April 24, 2013, his daughter-in-law, Vicki Chandler, died August 9, 2008, and his granddaughter, Emma Faith Chandler, died September. 23, 2006.
Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, May 1, 2019, at 11:00 a.m., by Bro. Randy Thieman at the Cross Plains Church of Christ, 2462 E. County Road 1050 South near Cross Plains. Interment will follow in the Salem Cemetery near Cross Plains.
Friends may visit Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive Madison, and Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the Cross Plains Church of Christ, 2462 E. County Road 1050 South near Cross Plains.
A Masonic service will be conducted on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, by Canaan Masonic Lodge No. 581 F. & A.M.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Salem Cemetery. Cards are available at the funeral homes and the church. Online condolences, www.morgan-nay.com
