Michael Levi Chandler, 75, of Frenchtown, Montana, passed away comfortably on Sunday, September 21, 2025.

Mike was born on March 14, 1950, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Art and Elna Chandler. His childhood days were filled with stick horse fights with the neighbor boys, swimming in the canal, and teasing his sisters. Always the salesman, he would ride his bike to the corner store and buy treats, then set up a table out in the yard and re-sell the items at higher rates. Many of the kids in the neighborhood were younger and not allowed to venture all the way to the store, so they were more than willing to buy his wares. Mike was also an avid outdoorsman. He shot a moose at the age of 14 and loved hiking with the scouts, floating the river, and salmon fishing with his dad, uncles, and cousins.

Mike was in the first graduating class at Skyline in 1968. In high school, he was an avid reader and always scored well on his exams, even if he didn't attend class all that often, much to the chagrin of his teachers. He was very involved in the social scene, playing for Skyline's first football team, dating lots of cute girls, and singing with a group of guys. Their best number was Summer Place.

After graduating, he attended Ricks College, where he was part of the debate team. Ricks is where he met the love of his life, Lois Colleen Terry. The two of them were married on March 25, 1969, and sealed one year later in the Idaho Falls Temple. Mike and Lois spent their early married years in Idaho Falls, ID; Clearfield, UT; and Twin Falls, ID.  They found adventure and built lifelong friendships in each place they lived.

In 1980, the family moved to Ketchum, Idaho, shortly after the birth of their daughter Whitney.  At the time, Mike was running a cabinet shop that became part of Loomis Construction. Working for Loomis took him on all kinds of adventures, meeting truly unique (and sometimes eccentric) people and building one-of-a-kind homes. He also found time for hobbies like flying lessons, fishing with family and friends, boating and rafting, being the water fight champion at all the reunions, and having a loud, rowdy time whenever possible.

Mike was a dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served diligently in leadership callings in the Carey, Idaho Stake from the time Whitney was 6 years old, all the way until she had a daughter of her own. He was always so happy to serve and loved the people of his branch and stake immensely. He honestly cared for each one and seemed to know every single person by name.

Mike and Lois both felt deeply blessed when they were called to serve in the temple presidency of the Twin Falls, Idaho Temple. They later served in the Spokane Temple, and after Lois passed away, Mike continued to work as a sealer in Spokane and eventually in the Helena Temple. He cherished all his time spent working in the temple, but it was especially tender after Lois passed because he felt she was nearby whenever he was there.

In 2017, Mike and Lois moved to Montana to be near their granddaughters. Here Mike enjoyed reading with his grandkids, going on breakfast and lunch dates with Lois, taking the girls out for driving lessons, watching action movies with his son-in-law, and gathering with the family for weekly Sunday dinners.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Art and Elna Chandler; his wife, Lois Chandler; his siblings: Libby Graves and Christine Martin.

He is survived by his siblings: Mary (John) Blacker and Julie (Grant) Loveless; his daughter, Whitney Peters, son-in-law, Noah Peters; and granddaughters: Liv (Tyler) Corum, Tru Peters and Zen Peters.

Mike was a giant of a man, loyal to the Lord and ever devoted to his family and friends. Those who knew him came to love his tenacious energy and generous spirit. He made a lasting impression on all our hearts and will be dearly missed.

Mike loved to support his granddaughters in all their activities. With this in mind, we ask that in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Frenchtown High School Cheerleaders (16720 Frenchtown Frontage Road, Frenchtown MT 59834).

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., October 4, 2025, at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street, Idaho Falls. The family will visit with friends and family one hour prior to services.   Interment will be at Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery. Join us after for Mike's favorite desserts and reminiscing at the LDS Church on 3721 Shadow Mountain Trail, Idaho Falls. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.coltrinmortuary.com .

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