Chad L. Oakley

CHAD LEE OAKLEY was born on July 14, 1949 to Raymond and Ona (Derry) Oakley at the hospital in Goodrich, Michigan. He was raised in Burton, Michigan and received his education, graduating from Bendle High School in the class of 1968. He then went to work assembling motors for GM – Buick Power Train division. On June 19, 1971 Chad married his high school sweetheart, Sandra Spohn, at Hill Road Baptist Church in Flint, Michigan.

The couple was blessed with raising their three children. Chad enjoyed taking the family on camping trips throughout Michigan. He enjoyed teaching his children how to hunt, fish and survive on the land. Chad used his talents with engines and served as a mechanic and Sunday School bus driver to Twin Cities Baptist Church, Landmark Baptist Temple and Faith Baptist Church for many years. He also enjoyed riding his motorcycle and was an avid reader and a great storyteller.

On October 1, 2001 Chad retired from GM. On December 8, 2003 the couple moved to Laughlin, Nevada. While living in Nevada, Chad became very interested in studying Native America history and embraced their culture and religious views. On December 31, 2004 they moved to Luverne, Minnesota. Recently, they attended Living Rock Church when possible.

On Wednesday, January 7, 2015 Chad passed over while surrounded by his family at the Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 65 years. He wished to be remembered as a happy go lucky guy and he loved his family very much.

Chad is lovingly remembered by his wife, Sandi; three children, Kathy Oakley (Jerry Nieman) of Sturgis, Michigan, Autumn (Kyle) Whitely of Luverne, Minnesota, and Tony Oakley (Stephanie Orvis) of Luverne, Minnesota; four grandchildren, Wilhelmena, Alexzander, Brandon and Brodi; great grandchild, Anna-Marie; three siblings, Sally Voakes of Swartz Creek, Michigan, Nancy (Bill) Gross of Trinity, Florida, and Bonnie Murphy of Burton, Michigan; five siblings-in-law, Grace (Dar) Severson of Fenton, Michigan, Bill (Joanne) Spohn of Lake Wales, Florida, Richard (Karen) Spohn of Lake Wales, Florida, Janet Miller of Fenton, Michigan, and Larry (Kim) Spohn of Flint, Michigan; and other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; two siblings, Ray and Doug Oakley; mother-in-law, Violet Aymor; and other family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation in Chad's honor be made to St. Joseph's Indian School in Chamberlain, South Dakota.