Lavon Edward Chandler, age 100, beloved dad, paw-paw and friend passed away and joined the Lord on August 21, 2023.  Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at Kilpatrick Funeral Home Chapel of Ruston.  Officiating will be Rev. Richard Crow, and Rev. Dale Oden.  Visitation will be Wednesday, August 23, 2023, from 10:00-11:00 A.M., prior to the service with graveside Military honors at Douglas Cemetery, in Choudrant, Louisiana.

Lavon was born July 18, 1923, in Ruston, Louisiana, to Edmund Howard and Cora (Hauver) Chandler. Lavon lived in Ruston until he attended LSU after graduating from Choudrant High School.  World War II interrupted Lavon’s education and he willingly enlisted in the U.S Army Air Corp in 1943.  Lavon served gallantly for our country in Germany, Italy, and France.  He is regarded as a hero among veterans, friends, and family.  Lavon married his high school sweetheart, Martha, in 1944. After the war, Lavon spent his working years devoted to Sears Roebuck and Co.  His career required much travel and Lavon and Martha made new homes across the southeast where they lived for the next 37 years.  Lavon retired in 1984 and moved back to his beloved old Chandler home place in Ruston.

Lavon was not only a devoted husband, father, and grandfather but also a devoted friend to many across his life experiences. He loved to give a helping hand and to give what he thought much needed advice on the finances of the day.  Lavon especially had a heart for widows and was an immense help to so many that had lost their husbands.  Working on the old homeplace gave Lavon much joy.  The trails he created in the woods were each named after a grandchild.  Martha and Lavon had the gift of hospitality and they made sure you always felt welcomed and loved.  Many days you would find Martha and Lavon sitting on their big country porch with iced tea and a welcoming smile.  They loved life!  Lavon served as a deacon for New Hope Baptist church in Spearsville for many years.  Lavon loved the Lord, and his life exemplified his closeness to the Lord and his unwavering faith.  He loved to sing old hymns and would sing to anyone that would listen, it didn’t matter where he might be at the time. Lavon will be missed beyond measure but how glorious it is to think of him in Heaven with our Lord.

He is survived by his daughter Deborah Baldwin and husband Bob, of Bentonville, AR; son Willis Edward and wife Lynette of the Villages, FL; daughter in law, Juanita Chandler of Raleigh, NC; and sister-in-law, Betty Tynes of Calhoun, LA.  Lavon was also blessed with eight grandchildren: Nancy Walters, MaryBeth Johnson, Robert Baldwin, Jr., Martha Omenski, Caroline Bivens, Ronald Chander, Alex Chandler, and Alison Dethlefs. To complete the family there are 14 beautiful great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.  Lavon is preceded in death by his parents, Cora and Ed Chandler; son, Stephen Chandler; and beloved wife of 70 years, his beautiful Martha.

Pallbearers will be Jeff Camp, Robert Joseph Baldwin, Jr., Wayne Paterson, Bruce Painter, Bobby J. Conville, and Robert Joseph Baldwin, Sr.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries.  www.lbch.org

Online condolences may be extended to the family at

www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com

Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston

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