Obit: Chandler, Rita Joan (1942 – 2010)

Contact: Dolores

Surnames: Chandler, Snyder, Goodenough, Hendrick, Lampe, Schaefer, Buselmeier

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) January 27, 2010

Chandler, Rita Joan (16 July 1942 – 19 January 2010)

Rita J. Chandler, 67, of Black River Falls died Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010, in Kansas City, MO, as the result of a motor vehicle accident.

The former Rita Joan Goodenough was born July 16, 1942, in Sparta to Harold Raymond and Bessie Cordelia (Snyder) Goodenough.  While Rita was a youngster, her family lived in various locations before settling in Black River Falls.  As a teenager, Rita accepted Christ as her personal savior and became a Christian.

She married Jerry G. Chandler Feb. 6, 1960, at the Black River Falls Assembly of God Church by Pastor Gordon Johnson.  Rita and Jerry lived in Black River Falls for 10 years before purchasing their home in the Pine Hill area of Jackson County 38 years ago.

As a young woman, Rita chose to marry and raise a family rather than graduate from high school. After having a daughter and two sons, Cathy, Mark and David, she returned to classes at Black River Falls Senior High School and graduated with the class of 1971.  In 1979, Rita and Jerry experienced the birth of their fourth child, Peter.

She had been employed at the Avalon Café, as a secretary at the Family Worship Assembly of Black River Falls and by the Black River Falls School District in the transportation department and in the school lunch program.  She also was employed as a bus driver for the hearing impaired.

She was an attendee of the Parkview Church of Black River Falls and was a member of the Sweet Adeline Chorus and the Jackpine Travelers Camping Club.

Rita enjoyed many hobbies and activists including riding motorcycles, camping, rosemaling, sewing, knitting, crocheting, cross-country skiing, boating, fishing, horseback riding and playing cards and dominos.

Survivors include her husband, Jerry of Black River Falls; a daughter, Cathy (Larry) Hendrick of Apopka, FL; three sons, Mark (Kim) Chandler of Black River Falls, David (Darla) Chandler of Bandera, TX, and Peter (Sara) Chandler of Hixton; 19 grandchildren; a sister, Jacky Lampe of Sacramento, CA; a brother, Gary Goodenough of Sacramento, CA; and numerous other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Bessie Goodenough; a brother, Harold Goodenough Jr.; and a sister, Lila Schaefer.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010, at the Parkview Church and burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, both in Black River Falls.  Pastor Brule Buselmeier will officiate.

Family and friends are invited for visitation from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, at the Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls, and at the church Thursday from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m.