Frank Julian Chance Jr.

Frank Julian Chance, Jr., 71, of Orleans, passed away suddenly Friday morning, May 26, 2023. Frank was born on March 20, 1952, to Frank Julian (Sr.) and Lota Delores (McBride) Chance in South Bend, IN.

Frank spent his professional life as an electrical engineer, retiring from GE Bloomington and was a member of IBEW 153. Early in his life, he was a Church of Christ preacher for various congregations for numerous years in northern Indiana, filling in where needed. Most recently, he was a member of Paoli Church of Christ. He spent many years raising funds to participate in several missionary trips to Ghana, West Africa, both solo and with his wife. Frank was a former board member of Camp Indogan youth camp where all of his children attended each summer and loved dearly. Frank and his family were also house parents for Shultz-Lewis Children’s Home in Valparaiso. Frank loved flying model airplanes and teaching his kids how to fly (and never gave up when they would crash them!). He was an amazing woodworker and was a master craftsman with anything he built (including the two houses and cabins he built for his family). He was a HAM radio operator (notorious for his handle N9AWD) for decades which enabled him to contact his friends all over the world, and he enjoyed fishing, and riding his motorcycle.

He married his high school sweetheart Karen J. (Sheely) Chance July 2, 1972, and together they had three boys that were the “apple of his eye.” He married Cynthia (Brown) Chance on December 1, 1990, and she survives, and together they had two girls that completed his family.

He is also survived by three sons Frank R. (Ana) Chance of Plainfield, IN, James R. (TiAta) Chance of Trafalgar, IN and Lee R. (Charlotte) Chance of Eufaula, OK; two daughters Meg Chance and Nicki (Warren) Coleman both of Orleans, IN; his dearly-loved grandchildren Kathrina (Tyler), Erika (Johnny), Lauren, Draya (Cameron), Aric (Savannah), Tommy (Jayde), Aja, Joseph, Miriam, Adalyn, and Jack (due in July); great-grandchildren Adam, Riley, Levi, Joy, Noble, Hudson, Mackenzie, Avery, Declan, Fiona, and Oaklee; three siblings Mary Tarnow of Chesterton, IN, Wanda (Art) Clemens of Hanna, IN, and Jeff (Pat) Chance of LaPorte, IN; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother James A. “Bud” (and Karen S.) Chance.

A graveside service will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at Mt. Pleasant Community Cemetery in Orleans with Brother Lee Collins officiating. A memorial service will follow at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Frank’s honor to Camp Indogan Camp at www.mycampindogan.com, click Donate Now, and in the message field, include in honor of Frank Chance.