G.L. Chandler, Jr., age 83, of Ellettsville, Indiana, passed away on Sunday, September 20, 2026, leaving behind a life marked by kindness, humor, selflessness, and devoted service to others. He was born on April 30, 1943.

G.L. attended Murray State before continuing his education at the Indiana College of Mortuary Science in Indianapolis, where he received his funeral director’s license in 1963. From the beginning of his career, he was called to a profession that allowed him to serve families during some of their most difficult moments, and he approached that responsibility with compassion, dignity, and professionalism. He began his work in Indianapolis at Conkle Funeral Home, where he served as a funeral director intern and also drove ambulances for the funeral home. He later moved to Monon, Indiana, where he worked as a director at Kellogg Funeral Home and served as Coroner for White County for two terms. His career also included time with Whitaker Funeral Home in Greencastle and Gosport, where he continued to build the reputation for care and integrity that would define his life’s work. In 1976, he built his own funeral home in Ellettsville, where he served the community for more than 50 years. He purchased Whitaker Funeral Home in Gosport in 1986 from the Whitaker family and continued the tradition of compassionate service there as well.  He returned to Greencastle and opened Chandler-Hays Funeral home there also owning that funeral home for several years.

G.L. was a licensed funeral director in the State of Indiana for 63 years, a distinction that reflected both his lifelong dedication and the respect he earned throughout the profession. He was proud to receive his 60-year pin from the Indiana Funeral Directors Association and to celebrate his 50th anniversary in Ellettsville, milestones that meant a great deal to him and to those who knew the depth of his commitment. He did not simply serve a community through his work. He became part of its heart.