Cleo Chandler

Cleo Chandler, of Cuba, MO, was born on Sunday, March 8, 1942, in Davisville, MO to Estel Monroe Chandler and Gertrude Mae Chandler, nee Brummett.  He passed away in St. James, MO on Monday, May 5, 2025, at the age of 83 years, 1 month and 27 days.

Cleo was raised in Davisville, MO and attended Cherryville High School.  He married the love of his life, Janet Louise Ransom on January 26, 1963, in Cuba, MO by Bro. Echols and to this union three children were born.  Cleo had accepted the Lord and attended Steelville First Assembly. Cleo served honorably in the United States Army and fought in Vietnam.  He was a Staff Sergeant E6, earned his GED while in the Army and went on to get his degree in general studies from Columbia College. He retired from the Army after 20 years, where he had worked as an Army Recruiter in Lebanon and Rolla.  He served as an Alderman for the City of Steelville, was a VFW Lifetime Member, a Teamster with Union #600 from St.Louis and a Mason.  He loved to be outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping.  He enjoyed traveling and spending time with his wife. Most of all, he loved his family; especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, Estel and Thelma Chandler; mother, Gertrude Mae Chandler; wife, Janet Chandler; parents-in-law Virgil and Mildred Ransom and Blanche Ransom; infant son, Johnny Cleo Ransom; brothers and sisters, Homer “Buck” (wife Doris) Whittaker, Elmer (wife Mabel) Whittaker, Delmar (wife Bessie) Whittaker, Leona (husband Jim) Keasling, infant Homer Chandler, Floyd (wife Goldie) Chandler, Owen Chandler, infant Thelma Chandler, infant Donia Chandler, infant Lloyd Chandler and Bernice (husband Marvin) Carl; brothers and sisters-in-law Wilbur “Willy” Ransom, Glenda Caron, Sidney Ransom, Laurie Ransom and Bonnie Haffer.

Cleo is survived by his children, Kimberly Ransom of St. James, MO and Eric “Rick” Chandler of Cuba, MO; grandchildren, Megan (husband Josh) Gargus of Columbia, MO, Joshua (wife, Kaylee) Carl of Rolla, MO, Lindsey Carl of Sullivan, MO, Nicholas Hill of Indianapolis, IN, Skylar (Taylor) Galbreath and Bella Ullery of Hendersonville, TN; great grandchildren, Caden Gargus, Brooklyn Carl, Lucas Carl, Raven Hill, Porter Gargus, Damien Hill, Karleigh Allen, John Paul Thomas, Huckley Gargus and Mallory Carl; brothers-in-law, Charles “Sonny” Haffer, Ronnie (Judy Dicus) Caron and Johnny Ransom all of Steelville, MO; sisters-in-law, Cecelia Ransom of Steelville, MO and Patricia Chandler of Cuba, MO; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation was from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM on Monday, May 12, 2025 at Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.  Funeral Service immediately followed at 1:00 PM with Rev. Jerry Beers and Rev. Mick Thrasher officiating.  Burial was  at Steelville Cemetery with full military honors.  Memorials were suggested to St. Jude Children's Hospital.

Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, MO.

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