Larry William Chassels

Cmdr. Larry W. Chassels, U.S. Navy (retired)
May 16, 1943 - Oct 19, 2014

Cmdr. Larry William Chassels, 71, of Highland, Ill., died Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, at Legacy Place in Highland.

He was born May 16, 1943, in St. Louis, the son of William F. and Edith (nee Overbeck) Chassels.

He was a member of the National Eagle Scout Association.

Chassels grew up in Bellefontaine Neighbors, Mo. While in high school, he and four close friends earned the Eagle Boy Scout Award. He attended the University of Missouri at Columbia, receiving his BS in mathematics. While in college he participated in Navy ROTC. After graduating, he went to active duty with deployment to Vietnam. He served aboard the following ships: USS King, USS Sample, USS Fox, USS Samuel B. Roberts and USS Ernest G. Small. He retired as a Navy commander, on July 1, 1991, with over 26 years of service. He lived at Cherry Hill, N.J., and worked at the Naval Shipyard in Philadelphia for Planning and Engineering for Repairs and Alterations for Cruisers and Destroyers (PERA-CRUDES) as security manager for computers and the shipyard. He retired after 30 years of work. In his retirement he worked as a security broker. He moved to Highland two years ago to be near his family. He had participated in church choirs in Cherry Hill and Hawaii. He enjoyed camping, Scouting activities and target shooting. (He was a sharpshooter in the Navy).

Survivors include:
Son - Dr. Loren Jay Chassels D.O., Highland, IL
Daughter - Marla R. Chassels, Honolulu, HI
Granddaughter - Vivienne M. Chassels, Highland, IL
Sister - Eileen (Bill) Mandell, West Richland, WA
Niece - Deanna Coppeans
Nephew - Christopher Coppeans and family
Niece - Jennifer Keller and family
Former Wife - Marjorie J. Chassels nee Vermeer (married 1969, divorced 1989), Highland, IL
Close friend and fellow Eagle Scouts - Dave Cooper; Bill Carter; Tony Koester; Mike Benzen

He was preceded in death by:
Father - William F. Chassels
Mother - Edith Chassels nee Overbeck

Arrangements are being handled by Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland.

Graveside funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014, in the Chapel at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, with the Jefferson Barracks Military Chaplain officiating.

Interment will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, MO.

Memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project.