Diane Louise Chandler – October 8, 1950- July 3, 2021
Diane Louise Chandler died at home, from heart disease and kidney failure on July 3rd, 2021, with her husband of almost 37 years Fred Chandler 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) Oct 8th, 1950. She was born in Susanville, CA. She attended Lassen High school and graduated Lassen in 1967. After high school, she went on to Beauty school in Reno, NV., where she received her Cosmetology License. She had a daughter, Shelbi Elise Whipple on Sept 29th, 1973. A son, Dana Elvin Whipple on April 23rd, 1976. She met her soon to be husband in 1979/80ish, Freddie Lee Chandler, also from Susanville, CA. They married on Dec 6th, 1984, in Reno NV. A year later Dec 7th, 1985, they renewed their vows in Susanville, CA. 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 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 no longer work. So, she took up daycare in her home. She started doing daycare (sometimes adult care) for 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 proceeded in death by her mother Wilma Dean Cooper-Barnum (1932-1968), 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). 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 that she adopted as ‘Official Family’.
In lieu of a funeral, we will be gathering on August 21st, 2021. At 1:00pm. 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.
