Walter ""Pete"" Chandlee's Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Walter F. ""Pete"" Chandlee, Jr., age 85 of Charleston and formerly of Effingham, passed away on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at the Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home in Mattoon. The Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at the St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, located at the corner of Tenth and Jefferson Streets in Charleston with Father John Titus presiding. Visitation for family and friends will be hosted at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston on Friday, February 8, 2013 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Walter's family has requested that memorial gifts in his honor be made to the Effingham Art Guild. Gifts may be left on the memorial table at the visitation or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL 61920. Walter was born August 3, 1927 in Saint Joseph, Missouri, a son of the late Walter F. and Axie (Blum) Chandlee, Sr. He met Maxine Parr while ice-skating and they were married on April 21, 1947 in Saint Joseph. They have shared an enjoyable sixty-five years of marriage and friendship. In addition to Maxine, Walter is survived by three children, Michael Chandlee of Beecher City, Illinois, Lynne Chandlee and husband Kenneth Boyd of Winterset, Iowa and Mark T. Chandlee and wife Andi of Titusville, Florida; ten grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; two sisters, Patricia Thiesen and husband Art of Arizona and Carol Chandlee of California; a brother, Wayne Chandlee and wife Patricia of Iowa; and several nieces and nephews. He was affectionately known as ""Pete"" to many. He was a graduate of Christian Brothers High School in Saint Joseph, a United States Navy Veteran, and attained a Bachelors degree at Eastern Illinois University. Pete worked at Best Homes in Effingham for many years and his position as a designer in the housing industry took him to various locations in the United States. When in Charleston, Pete was employed as the Head of the Engineering Department at the Reasor Corporation. Pete was also a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Charleston. Pete was quite an artist. He belonged to the Effingham Art Guild and received several awards for his paintings. When living in Effingham he designed and built the house used each year for Santa visits on the courthouse lawn. The city of Effingham just recently voted to place the Santa house on a permanent foundation making it the official Santa Claus house to be used for years to come. Pete always enjoyed outdoor activities. He was an avid hunter and fisherman - he especially enjoyed bow hunting and spending the winters in Gulf Shores where the fish were plentiful. Pete had a creative mind and used his creativity for inventing and for painting computer photos - he always had to be busy. Pete was a wonderful husband and father and took good care of his family - always making certain that their needs were met. His family is blessed with many wonderful memories and will cherish them always.
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