Darrell Richard Chandler

Darrell Richard Chandler, 72, formerly of Peru, Nebraska was born on July 19, 1948, in Humboldt, Nebraska to William “Bill” and Esther (Harms) Chandler.  He was the fourth and youngest son to be born to this marriage.  The family at the time of his birth lived on a farm outside of Verdon where Darrell attended kindergarten through 2nd grade at Dawson public school and half of third grade in Verdon.   The family moved to Humboldt where his dad farmed and he attended a one room country school and Humboldt public school.  The family moved to Peru around 1960 where his dad was the first custodian at the new Student Center at Peru State College.  Darrell attended Peru Prep and graduated from high school with the class of 1966.  He then attended PSC for a year and a half before working for the City of Peru for a year.  Darrell then began working at Wood Carve Cabinet Factory (later called Triangle Pacific then Armstrong).  He first worked in the paint department but the majority of his time was spent in the mill room department.  Darrell worked around 35 years before he had to take disability due to arthritis. 

On June 21, 1975, Darrell was united in marriage to Yvonne Colleen Conrad at the Peru Community Church in Peru.  They were married over 45 years and lived two years in Auburn and 43 years in Peru.  When Darrell and Yvonne were younger, they did a lot of camping and traveling.  As they got older, they made many trips to Branson area to take in country music shows and visit family and friends.  While living in Peru, Darrell served on the Peru Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years and helped getting a new fire and rescue building built and purchased a new fire truck and ambulance.  During that time, he served on the Peru City Council and got in on the end of the water treatment plant project.  Darrell loved football and attended almost every PSC home game and got to see them win the National Championship.  His favorite team was always PSC Bobcats then the Nebraska Cornhuskers. 

Darrell loved collecting toy tractors and equipment and had an extensive collection.  He attended many toy auctions and toy shows with his friends.  One of Darrell’s pride and joy was his John Deere A tractor 1950 model (same year as his wife Yvonne).  He used it not only to clear his driveway, but also the Peru Community Church, St. Clara Catholic Church parking lots and many Peru residence driveways.  The neighborhood boys Henry and Noah Montanelli would come running whenever they heard Darrell’s tractor start up.  Darrell never out grew his love for western movies, especially ones with Gene Autry and John Wayne, and his love for nature and seeing the farm land planted and later harvested.  It was a joy to him to see baby calves, horses, goats, pigs and chickens which all brought back wonderful memories of growing up on the farm.  He loved our 15-year-old cat Bear.  They were great buddies and when Darrel spoke to Bear, he seemed to understand what he said.  Whenever Darrell saw his nieces, nephews or children of friends, he loved hearing about their lives and dreams.  He always encouraged them to follow their dream and not to give up.  Darrell passed away from complications from the Covid-19 virus on Monday, November 23, 2020, at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Lincoln, Nebraska having reached the earthly age of seventy-two years, four months and four days.  He is preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother Gary, sister-in-law Kathy Chandler, father and mother-in-law Russell and Edna Conrad, and many cousins and all of his aunts and uncles on both sides.

Those left to mourn Darrell’s passing are his wife Yvonne Chandler of Auburn, brothers: Charles Chandler of Auburn, Allen (Linda) Chandler of Omaha, brother and sister-in-law Fred Joseph and wife Annette Hug of Bellevue, NE; nephew Fred Marshall Hug, Sr. and fiancé Jaime Barker of Bellevue, NE and his children: daughter Heather (Dillion) Hunwardsen and four children from Pierson, IA; son Samuel Simpson and fiancé Bree and their daughter Grace Lynn of Omaha, and son Fred Marshall Hug, Jr. of Bellevue, NE; nephew Joseph Hug and wife Theresa and their daughter Adelyn of Bellevue, NE; and Joseph’s daughter Aubrey Hug and son Joey Hug of Doniphan, NE; niece Pella (Hug) Kirkland and her daughter Lydia and Pella’s fiancé Christopher Linsey of Bellevue, NE; and many other relatives and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 11, 2020, at The Hall Funeral Chapel, 707 15th Street in Auburn, Nebraska with Pastors Ray and Becky Girard officiating.  Masks and social distancing will be required for those attending services.  Services will be available live on the Hall Funeral Chapel Facebook page and a live radio broadcast will be available on FM station 88.7

Visitation will be held from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Thursday, December 10, 2020, at The Hall Funeral Chapel in Auburn.

Interment will follow services at the Mt. Vernon Cemetery in Peru, Nebraska.

Memorial contributions may be given to the family with a later designation.

Condolences can be shared online at www.hallfuneral.net

Services entrusted to Hall Funeral Chapel-707 15th ST.-Auburn, Nebraska 68305 (402) 274-3131

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