Leah Belle Chandler

Leah Belle Chandler, 98 yrs. of Atwater, Ohio, took her last earthly breath on Sunday, November 12, 2023. She was born June 12, 1925, in Caldwell, Ohio to Stephen Lewis Dennis & Clara Dutton Gessel Dennis.

She married Clyde Chandler on February 28, 1948, in Noble County, Ohio and lived in Stow, Ohio before moving to the farm on Porter Rd. in Atwater in 1956.

There they raised five children: Clara Jane Prince (Tim); Clyde Dennis Chandler (Marilyn); James L. Chandler; Edward J. Chandler; Debra Diana Heppe (Tony). Also surviving are grandchildren: Melissa Mitchell (Dale) Scott Prince, Heather Doyle (Bryan); Whitney Chandler, Jordan Chandler, Taylor Chandler, and Connor Chandler (Courtney); Libby Tipton, Ashley Chandler (Kate); Stephen Heppe, Adam Heppe (Sara) and Matthew Heppe. She is also survived by 13 great-grandchildren and special son, Dick Chamberlin.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Clyde in 2002; two sisters, Sylvia Bryan and Martene Spriggs; great-grandchildren, Knox, Kyle and Paitynn and a special niece, Lynn Stack.

After moving to Atwater, she attended the Atwater Congregational Church and was a Sunday School teacher for many years. Her final church was her beloved New Testament Baptist Church in Ravenna where she leaves many friends and loved ones.

As a mom in the Atwater/Randolph community she was active in Preschool Mothers, Atwater PTA, Band Boosters and was a school room mother for many years. She also worked for Waterloo Schools in the cafeteria during the 1970’s.

Her hobbies included baking, cake decorating, knitting, crocheting, and quilting. She was a member of the Atwater Piecemakers Quilt group. She was known for baby shower gifts that included baby booties and other items handmade by her.

Friends and family will be received Thursday, November 16, 2023, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM and Friday, November 17, 2023, from 10:00 - 11:00 AM at the Wood-Kortright-Borkoski Funeral Home, 703 E. Main St., Ravenna, where funeral services will be officiated by Pastor Bob Burgess at 11:00 AM on Friday. Interment will follow at Atwater Cemetery.

Special thanks to Tamarack Ridge staff for the special care given her and the family through her last days. Condolences and fond memories may be shared at www.wood-kortright-borkoski.com