Edward Chandler

Edward S. Chandler, Sr, 95, was born in 1916 and died December 28, 2011. Ed was born to Thomas and Virgie Chandler in Independence, Missouri where he lived his entire life. Ed’s father, Tom, was a good friend of Harry S. Truman and Ed would row their fishing boat many time. Ed graduated from William Chrisman High School on Maple Street in 1937. Early in 1942 he met Jean Emma Thomas and proposed to her on Valentine’s Day. They were married on May 12, 1942 and lived in her parent’s house just around the corner from the Truman home until 2001.
Ed received the Combat Medic Badge while serving in the South Pacific during WWII, in New Guinea, Tacloban, Leyte and the Liberation of the Philippines. He attained the rank of Sergeant First Class in the Army Medical Corp. While serving his country his first of four children Edward S. Chandler, Jr, was born. He met his eighteen month old son in 1945 when he returned from the war.
Ed started working with his father at The Standard Oil Refinery in Sugarcreek when he returned from the war, and retired from the refinery after 37 years of service.
He was a Scouter for over 50 Years, Starting in Troop 203, he served in various positions in troop and Blue Elk District leadership, and was a Staff Member at H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation for several years and served as a Lead Commissioner for several years. He was Medicine Man in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say.
He was a Life Member of the Jackson County Historical Society and an Honorary Fellow of the Truman Library Institute.
Ed was preceded in death by his cousin H. Louis Chandler (Chieftain Falling Branch) in 2000, his wife of 60 years, Jean Thomas Chandler in 2002, his son, Lance Thomas Chandler (Tom-Tom Beater Son of Silver Falling Branch) in 2004, and his cousin, Dick Chandler (Medicine Man Little Falling Branch) in 2006.
Ed is survived by his sons, Edward S. Chandler, Jr. (Shaman Little Silver Falling Branch), Tucson, AZ, David Chester Chandler (Firebuilder Last Silver Falling Branch) and his wife Elaine Chandler, Village of Bloomfield, NY; adopted son Cecile Vaughan and his wife Kathy of Independence, MO; daughters, Teri Lea Chandler Purcell and her husband John Minor Purcell of Independence, MO and Barbara Broski and her husband Mike of Independence, MO; grandchildren, Melanie Chandler Gustin, Star Marie Chandler, Mark David Chandler, Ann Chandler Steinbach, Nowell A. Chandler and Brandon T. Chandler; great grandchildren, Amanda Gustin, Heather Gustin, Robi Shaneman, J.C. Shaneman and Allie Steinbach.
A Tribe of Mic-O-Say Memorial Service will be held Monday, January 2, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at the Speaks Suburban Chapel; 18020 E. 39th St., Independence, MO 64055. Visitation will be from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 3, 2012 followed by funeral services at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Private Entombment will be at Mound Grove Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Mic-O-Say Trust Fund in care of the Heart of America Council, Boy Scouts of America.