All the days planned by the Lord for Malvin Mal Chandler came to be the morning of November 16, 2014. He was 90 years old.
Born on August 7, 1924 in Dry Prong, Louisiana to Edward Malvin Chandler and Naomi Ann (Mercer) Chandler, Mal was the fifth child of eight children. His mother died when he was 17 years old years and he left home shortly afterwards, joining the Merchant Marine in 1945. He served through World War II, Korea and Vietnam, eventually making the rating of second engineer. While not sailing, Mal also worked at many odd jobs throughout the United States, from building dams to fighting wildfires.
Mal was called the Rambler as a child, as he loved to travel. His favorite state was Nevada and he called it home after World War II. After his retirement in the 1980s, he lived in Fallon, Nevada during the summer and wintered in Parker, Arizona.
In 2003, he met the Garms family at La Paz County Campground in Parker, AZ and a special friendship was formed. After they parted ways, Mal and the Garms kept in touch through letters, until Mal decided to visit in April 2005. He traveled from Nevada to Braham, Minnesota, and a two week visit turned into the rest of Mals time on earth. Psalm 68:6 clearly came to life: God sets the lonely in families. Mal loved the Garms kids (and their cats) and had much joy in watching them grow.
Mal lived with the Garms family until winter of 2012. He had several falls and, needing 24-hour care, he moved to Elmhurst Commons in Braham, residing there until he passed away from cancer.
He was a man of common sense, with a giving spirit and love for children and animals. Mal took pleasure in working outdoors and could often be found sitting outside, admiring the surrounding countryside. A story-teller, Mal would tell story upon story for hours to anyone who would listen. His humor, stories and life will be greatly missed.
Mal is preceded in death by his parents and siblings, and is survived by his friends and family: David and Kris Garms and their children, Whitney, Ben, Taylor, Uliana, Leesha, Sam, Jayme and Caleb.
According to his wishes, Mal was cremated and no funeral service will be held. Arrangements were provided by Rock-Ingebrand Funeral Home of Braham.