Gary E. Chandler, surrounded by family, died peacefully Monday morning, February 20, 2017, at his home in Topeka. He was 69.

Gary was born at Sabetha, December 27, 1947, one of six children born to the late Eugene and Pansie Brunner Chandler. Gary grew up in Hiawatha where he attended school, graduating from Hiawatha High School with the class of 1965. He later graduated with an Associate’s degree in business administration from Highland Community College.

Gary worked most of his life as a revenue specialist for trucking firms: Churchill Truck Line of Chillicothe, MO; Jones Trucking of Springdale, AR; and retired after 22 years of service as senior revenue specialist for Yellow Freight Line.

Gary was a long time member of First Baptist Church. He had bragging rights in the ‘hole in one club.’

Gary married Linda Locke, September 21, 1968, at Chillicothe, MO. She survives.

Also surviving are their children: Carey (Brad) Shinneman of Jakarta, Indonesia, Candice (David) Ward of Rodgers, AR, Daniel (Katie) Chandler of Kansas City, MO; his siblings: Carolyn (Don) Hilgenfeld of Lincoln, NE, Connie (Duane) Widman of Topeka, Stephen (Kathy) Chandler of Hiawatha, Chris Ballew, also of Hiawatha, Cindy (James) Reynolds of Falls City, NE; 6 grandchildren: Lauren, Savanna, Matthew, Sage, Ben, Will; 2 great-grandchildren: Lilly and Sophia.

A Celebration of Gary’s life is planned for 11 a.m. Thursday, February 23, at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center in Hiawatha, with David Elsberry officiating. Interment will follow at the Morrill Cemetery.

The family will meet with friends one hour prior to services at Church.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Heart Association, sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha 66434.

A special message or remembrance may be sent to the family at www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com