Life Tribute – Diane Louise Chandler
Diane Louise Chandler
Oct. 8, 1950 – July 3, 2021
Diane Louise Chandler died at home from heart disease and kidney failure July 3, 2021 with her husband Fred Chandler of almost 37 years by her side. She had been ill for several years. She was 70 years old.
Diane Barnum was born to Elvin LeRoy Barnum and Wilma Dean Barnum (Cooper) on Oct 8, 1950 Susanville, California. She attended and graduated from Lassen High School in 1967. After high school she went onto Beauty school in Reno, Nevada. She received her cosmetology license. She had a daughter, Shelbi Elise Whipple on Sept. 29, 1973 and a son, Dana Elvin Whipple, on April 23, 1976. She met her soon to be husband in 1979/80ish, Freddie Lee Chandler, also from Susanville. They married Dec. 6, 1984, in Reno. A year later, Dec. 7, 1985, they renewed their vows in Susanville.
Together they loved to do many things — softball tournaments, going camping, fishing, dragging their kids, grandchildren and numerous others around on the tube behind the boat. They spent many hours with extended family out in the woods getting in wood for the season or planting a garden with family.
Diane loved to play bingo and bunco. To prove that point, we found her basket of many “Good Luck Trolls.” She loved to travel with friends, (who became extended family) to Pow Wows all over the place. She loved the beat of the drums. She often pretended she could speak in her Native tongue … She could not, she just made it up as she went along.
Diane worked many years as a bartender all over Susanville and Janesville. After getting sick in 1989, she could not no longer work. So, she took up daycare in her home. She started doing daycare (sometimes adult care) to many children over the years. Most of them ended up calling her Nana or Auntie.
Her personality was big, She was always the center of attention wherever she went.
Diane is preceded in death by her mother, Wilma Dean Cooper-Barnum (1932-1968) and her father, Elvin LeRoy Barnum (1922-1992).
Diane is survived by her husband of almost 37 years in October, Freddie Lee Chandler; her daughter, Shelbi Elise Whipple-McCartney (Dace McCartney); her son, Dana Elvin Whipple (Leslie Vache- Whipple); her daughter, Rebecca Chandler-Gisselberg (Kenny Gisselberg); her daughter, Meredith Chandler-Emmot (Jason Emmot); her Daughter, Michele Chandler-Richards (Neil Richards); and her sister, Bettifae Barnum-Gentry (Tom Gentry 1945-2005). Diane had numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. She had too many to count nieces and nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews. She also had many cousins. So many others whom she adopted as “Official Family.”
In lieu of a funeral, we will be gathering at n1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021 at Riverside Park for a potluck. We will visit and tell some tall tales about Diane and her life. Bring a dish to share and a lawn chair.
If you have any questions, reach out to Shelbi Whipple-McCartney.