"Ann (and family): I was very sorry to hear of this sad news. Although we ran in somewhat different circles in high school, I was very glad to be able to share a few words, as well as take a few steps down memory lane with both you and Gene at our recent high school reunion. Please accept my sympathy and condolences. I sincerely hope the memories of Gene and the good life he lived will help give you peace, comfort, and strength as you now continue your journey forward in this life. God bless you all. Chuck Hackleman M.C.H.S. Class of 70. "
In loving memory of
Gene Leclaire Chinander
January 23, 1952 - October 14, 2021
Gene Leclaire Chinander, 69, of Allison, Iowa, passed away Thursday, October 14, 2021, in Allison.
A visitation will be held Monday, October 18, 2021, at North Butler Elementary School Gymnasium, 513 Birch Street, Allison, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 19, 2021, at North Butler High School Football Field, High School Blvd, Greene. Bleacher seating will be available, but attendees are invited to bring a chair to the service if they so choose. Those in attendance are also invited to wear casual attire representing one of Gene's favorite football teams.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent or taken to the Lincoln Savings Bank in Allison or Greene to fund a scholarship in Gene's name for a North Butler student who plans to teach and coach. A GoFundMe account has been established for this cause as well: https://gofund.me/adc2183f
Gene Leclaire Chinander, son of Lowell and Geraldine (Ashlock) Chinander, was born on January 23, 1952, in Omaha, NE. He was raised and attended schools in Mason City, IA. Gene was active in Boy Scouts, the First Christian Church, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, athletics, playing football and throwing the shot and discus in high school. Gene played the bass violin and enjoyed singing.
Gene played football and threw the javelin, shot, and discus first at NIACC and later added the hammer throw at the University of Northern Iowa, winning the Dickinson Relays with the javelin.
Gene graduated from UNI with a degree in PE, Health, and Coaching endorsements. He later added history and Driver's Education/Safety endorsements and his master's degree in Administration.
Gene married Ann Melhus on August 10, 1974 at the First Covenant Church in Mason City. They were blessed with three sons: Erik, Bret, and Stacy - his pride and joy in life.
Gene and Ann moved to Allison, IA where Ann had a teaching job, and Gene could begin his master's degree. He then worked at United Hydraulics in Hampton as a quality control supervisor. Gene also started coaching football at Allison-Bristow and track at Columbus Catholic High School.
Gene taught at Dumont CSD, Allison-Bristow CSD, and North Butler CSD. He also owned and operated a restaurant. He coached junior high boys and girls basketball and high school football, track, softball, and baseball. Gene also served as the Athletic Director/Director of Student Services.
After retirement, Gene and Ann traveled to Ireland, France, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, and Alaska, and Canada. They took trips to Oregon, Arizona, Florida, East Coast, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Texas, California, southern coastlines, and Canada.
The most important thing in Gene's life was kids: his own, his grandkids, his relatives' kids, the kids he taught and coached, the neighbor kids, the church kids, and his friends' kids. He had been a foster parent, Little League coach, and Sunday School teacher at St. James Lutheran Church.
If Gene wasn't substitute teaching, teaching Driver's Ed, or assisting coaches, you would find him setting up his deer stand, scouting for turkeys and pheasants, or fishing. If it wasn't hunting season or preparation, he would be attending his grandkids' sports, music programs, or taking them to museums and movies. Gene was a very social person and enjoyed spending time with his friends.
Gene also loved 60's music, the color blue, his Dodge truck, and ancestry. He had recently found his birth family and was happy to discover that he had two brothers, Scott and Gary Davenport.
Gene is survived by his wife, Ann, his three sons and their wives: Erik (Megan), Bret (Traci), and Stacy (Sarah); his grandchildren Teagan, Bowen, Penelope, Sophia, Julia, Ripp, and a grandson soon to be born. He is also survived by his brother, Richard (JoAnn), his brother Scott (Nancy), his brother Gary (Kathy), his sister-in-law Barbara Melhus, his sister-in-law Melissa Peterson, and many nieces and nephews. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, his brother-in-law Richard Melhus, his brother Ivan, his brother Terry in infancy, and dear friend Rex Brunner.
The Sietsema Vogel Funeral Home of Allison is caring for Gene and his family.
Tributes
"Ann and family, My heart goes out to you and your family during this difficult time. Gene was such a positive role model for so many students and community members. Praying for strength and peace for your family in the times ahead. Donita Joens "
"To Ann and the rest of Gene's family: You have our deepest condolences. Gene was a good person and will be greatly missed. We have you all in our prayers. Jim and Veronica Fink"
"Our deepest sympathy to Ann and the entire family. Too many memories to start listing. Remembering spending good times at the restaurant to enjoying post football game get-togethers at the Chinander house. We always felt welcomed. We will truly miss Gene's smile and that chuckle-laugh. May God give you the strength your entire family needs in the coming weeks and months."
"We want to extend our sympathy and prayers to Ann and the family members. So sorry to hear the sad news. Marvin and Sue Hrubes"
"Dear Chinander family, Love and prayers to you all during this very tough time! We all enjoyed Gene when he came to visit Erik and family in Lincoln. He was a wonderful father and grandfather that loved his family and had so much to be proud of?may he truly Rest In Peace !!! God?s blessings! Love, South lake neighbors. Lincoln, NE. ??"
"How deeply, by so many, Gene will be missed. Our thoughts are with you, Ann, your sons, and their families. With our deepest condolences, Mary and Paul MIller Iowa City"
"Gene and we?re college teammates at UNI and took many of our PE Major classes together. Gene was quick with a smile and enjoyed at good practical joke, some at my expense! He lived a good life and touched many in a positive way. He will be missed. Best wishes to his family and friends. Kent Wessely"
"So sorry to hear about Gene. ?Geno? was a teammate on the UNI track team, fun guy!"
"Ann, Eric,Brett & Stacy Linda and I are so sorry for your loss. Eric , Gene now has the ultimate sky box seat for all your future games. Brett , Gene will always be present at all our future hunting and fishing trips. Stacy, that baby boy of yours waiting to be born will be more like his Papa Gene than all the rest of his present and future grandchildren. And Ann you are blessed with the memories of all those years you spent together with Gene. I feel blessed to have spent a week fishing with Gene in Canada just this past August. Rest In Peace Gene ; there are a lot of us who are going to miss your wit , your charm and your sense of humor. Love Dave and Linda Conroy "
"Gene will truly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ann and family. We now have another great angle to watch over us. "
"Mrs. Chinander, am so sorry for your loss. I think of you often when I catch myself being a grammar snob. I always say it is because I had such outstanding English teachers!"
"Thoughts and prayers to family. Gene will be missed by all.....Very thankful to have spent time together at recent MCHS Class of 70 Reunion. ...Great memories will be cherished!.... Always had a smile on his face. Rest in peace my friend!"
"I will always remember our French trip to England in 1994. He was so pleasant and fun to be with. Rest in peace Sara Grey Phoenix arizona "
"My deepest sympathies to the Chinander family."
"I am very sorry to hear about Gene - I throughly enjoyed doing my student teaching under his leadership. I could always tell he was well respected in the school and community. My heart goes out to his family and the North Butler community."
"Ann and family, I have been thinking of all of you since I first heard the news. I have so many great memories of Gene from my time at Jville when I got to hang out with ?the guys? at monthly conference meetings. Gene was so helpful the 2 years that I undertook the AD?s job. He always had a ?smart? remark and kept me smiling when I would have liked to have screamed!! Truly a great guy who touched the lives of so many in very positives ways! Sending sympathy, prayers and hugs! "
"just a great friend in high school throwing that discuss any which way ,and being a terrible football player (HA) it's not right having someone who goes to early but when someone is ill, we want them to pass tomorrow! A loss big time!! "
"Our deepest condolences to the Ann and family. "
"I remember the time when I was in drivers Ed and mr. Chinander yelled at me not to honk the horn. I will forever more miss him dearly"
"Deepest sympathies to the Chinander family. From the many stories Bret has shared about hunting, fishing, and family, Gene was clearly loved and adored by family, friends, and many others. Thoughts and prayers to you all during this difficult time."
"Such a good man gone too soon. Thank you for your continuous grace and kindness to all. My deepest sympathies for the family ?"