Elijah "Meco" Chandler, Jr

Mr. Elijah Chandler, Jr. was born on February 1, 1949 in Indianapolis, Indiana to loving parents Elijah Chandler, Sr. and Mamie (McMillan) Chandler.

He attended the Indianapolis Public Schools and graduated from Shortridge High School in 1967.
He was an honorably discharged member of the United States Army.

Elijah was employed at the United States Postal Service for more than 30 years. He retired from the Postal Service in 2003.

Elijah was a faithful member of Community Christian Church under the leadership of Pastor William Martin. He served as a volunteer van driver and faithfully facilitated the safe arrival of church members. In addition, his desire to give of himself continued as he gave of his time to volunteer with the Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana.

Elijah had a friendly and inviting charm that made everyone around him feel welcomed. He was a devoted father who generously loved his adoring children. He even gave some of them affectionate nicknames; Duffy (Meco), Hamburger (Jacqueline), Rudy Baker (Corey), Big Mack (Malcolm), and Lil Israel (Emmanuel).

He often spoke sayings that all who truly knew him understood, such as “complex”, “burn some fuel”, “hold the phone”, “help da po’ boy”, “crumbs” (aka grandchildren), “don’t make your move too soon”, and “it’s on the promise list”. He was always sharing wisdom about the things he observed through life.

He worked more than one job throughout most of his adult life and believed in the virtue of hard work and the value of paying yourself first.

Elijah Chandler, Jr. was preceded in death by his parents Elijah Chandler, Sr. and Mrs. Mamie (McMillan) Chandler, his brothers Cornelius Chandler and William Chandler, and grandson Shane L. Spells.

He is survived by his adoring sisters Myrtle Beard, Darlene Jackson, Shirley Chandler, Robin Miles and Dorothy Venable; his seven loving children Reneé (Butler) Williams, Duane Lamont Spells, Sr. (Shawn), Jacqueline Elise Chandler, Meco Monté Chandler (Eva), Malcolm Lamonte Chandler, Corey Dion Chandler (Tenise), Emmanuel Dante Chandler; 22 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends.