John E. Chandler passed away on November 14, 2022 at age 87. He operated a bookstore on Clark St in Chicago for over 40 years. He served in the army and had several degrees from the University of Michigan and Michigan State University. He is survived by his brother Charles and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial will be held on February 24 at Lakeview Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St Jude Children's Hospital.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Chicago Tribune on Feb. 19, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for John Chandler

30 Entries

Charlene Bielakowski

February 13, 2025

An answer to Edwar M. A friend of ours said that the family ordered dumpster and threw out most of the books in the store. John also had a warehouse filled with books and we heard that most of those were also disposed of. We would have liked to see a giant sale, for those of us who loves books I get sick thinking of all those books in the landfill. We miss going to his store, John was a very interesting and really nice guy.

Lou/Charlene/Alex/Andy Bielakowski

February 15, 2024

It is truly sad to hear that John has passed away. My husband and sons would spend hours visiting his book store. It was organized chaos, since he could tell you if he had what you were looking for. I was amazed at how he could do it with the thousands of books he had in the store. John you will be absolutely missed.

Edward Minieka

February 13, 2024

John was one of a kind. His store was a destination. Does anyone know what happened to his book inventory?

Edward M.

Sylvia Ramsay

May 25, 2023

From the first time I met John I've liked him. It was always a great experience to browse through the store, and spend over an hour looking and talking with him. He saved books for me which we had discussed I would like to buy, which was so thoughtful and kind. I'm so sorry to have lost him, and I'm glad to have known him.

Shanlie Ann Stead

March 29, 2023

I loved visiting, spending time in that space. Just like from the outside it looked one way but once inside it was magical, warm, old school. Mr Chandler was just the same...knew where everything was or was game to help you discover something for yourself. He was smart, kind, thoughtful on many levels. Always good for a candy too! He made me smile and I know we made him smile as well... he was one of us, a book lover, a neighborhood guy, a true kindred spirit. A collaborator and partner in crime. He knew it, and where to find it and made sure you left with an answer, a book, a smile and or a piece of Candy! I was always worried about him, but i'm glad to hear he had a tribe of people who loved him and appreciated him just as much as we did. He made the neighborhood special...that will live in our memories. Not just as someone who inspired but gave the place real meaning. He will be missed but remembered with joy! Raising a collective book...may his memory continue to be a blessing Xo Shan

Barton

March 6, 2023

He was a great bookman.

Pam Kane

March 2, 2023

I was a high school librarian for many years, and our budgets were always very small. John was always happy to see me and helped me find good books, especially art and photography titles to add to my library's collection. He would share stories of his time in the Michigan public library system. He was a fine man and his unique bookstore will be sorely missed. Pam Kane Albany Park

Ray Zieliniewicz

March 2, 2023

An old friend is now just a memory. I started buying books from John in the 1980's when he moved here from Michigan. I probably have over 500 books in my library from john. Civil War, Military history, Ancient history, Chicago & Illinois history. Before Half Price Books John was the original discount book seller. I used to call his shop Dirt Cheap Books. He was my favorite Book shop for over 40+ years. You will be greatly missed by me. May you rest and be in peace. Your old friend, Ray.

Ronnie O

February 28, 2023

I greatly enjoyed talking to him over the years. He was always engaging, if not entertaining. Always remembered me, often asked what my kids or ex-wife were up to. And always asked me if I was retired yet-though I´m still not 65, and wasn´t even close when he first started asking. His prices were always more than fair, and now and then I found a treasure. I can´t imagine that there´s any bookseller like him around here anymore, sadly. He was a treasure. RIP.

Matt K

February 28, 2023

I took my sister to Bookman's Corner when she was in town and we bought 3 books together. John asked us if we wanted a bag, and we said "yes." He took out a small bag "that's not enough bag," he said trying to fit the books in, then he took out a larger one, "that's too much bag" he said, then a medium sized bag, "this one's just right."

A true one of a kind!

Della DeYoung

February 25, 2023

MeatLoaf, that's what John would call me before he actually learned my name. I purchased close to 150 cookbooks from John over the years. The first recipe I perfected was meatloaf so I brought John half. I didn't know about the moniker until one day my son went by the store and in reminding John who I was he called me Meatloaf.

I cannot begin to tell you how much I will miss our conversations.

God Bless you John, you are in my prayers. Della

Cisley Celmer

February 25, 2023

I'm so sorry to hear of John's passing. He was a good friend and had a great bookstore. I'll miss the wonderful conversations, excellent advice, digging through stacks of books and his friendship. I hope this isn't the last of the great bookstores on the north side. May he rest in peace.

Rafael Alanis

February 25, 2023

I remember John and all his books, ever since I moved to Northside from Pilsen in 1981 - I didn´t talk much with John but his book store was like an old friend and got comfort just knowing his book store was like seeing an old friend.

Rip John you and your book store have left a big hole in our community and hearts...

Rafael Alanis / Buena Park

Cathy Gately

February 24, 2023

So sorry to hear of John´s passing. Loved to go in his bookstore, it had that old book smell which all book lovers know well. A very kind and knowledgeable gentleman and a true Chicago character in the best sense of the word . Rest in peace, John, hopefully with a lot of books. Cathy Gately

Tim Barton

February 24, 2023

Everyone was welcome at John´s store.

People would stumble in and ask for books on a particular topic, or a specific title and John would give them directions with surgical precision where to find what they needed. He never had to leave his spot behind the "counter" to guide the customer.

John referred to his regulars by their category of interest. I think I must have architecture or Chicago guy. I once found a copy of a somewhat rare book on Chicago architecture. It was priced at $15 but I told him that H____´s store was selling it for $150, so he had to sell it to me for more than he had it marked. He just scoffed and said, "That´s fine." and charged me the marked price.

The store--nerd cave, Tut´s tomb, pine forest, Narnia-- was a place to lose yourself among the stacks or to gab endlessly with him. It transported and transfigured you.

He loved his customers, although he wouldn´t say it that way. He was always interested in what we were doing. He´d ask "what you hear from S___? I saw a story about him in the paper," and then he would point to a clipping on the side of a bookcase. I knew him for forty+ years and when I moved to the other side of the world - Hyde Park - I didn´t get up to the shop as often as I used to. But even if I´d walk in after a 3-year absence, and he´d shout my name and we´d start talking like I´d been there 2 weeks ago.

John gave me much more than books. He was a friend and I will miss him dearly.

Marlene Dietrich Lebowe

February 24, 2023

I will never forget you, John. I'm so sad that you have passed on and will never accept hearing from anyone that 'you're in a better place' that others tend to say when people die, because your better place was with all the books and all of us. I'll cherish our many great conversations from over the years and the memories that came with them. We became fast friends the first time we met when I walked into your beloved book store and you fondly laughing because I was so excited about all the books everywhere and I went around smelling them! You related to me loving the smell of old books and also both of us agreeing that it did not matter what was used for a book mark as long as the corner of the pages were not crimped over. As I walked the isles of stacked piles of books arranging them as I went-I can still hear your humorous words "That's so lovely and endearing M {I am fondly called simply 'M' by my friends} but you know it won't look like that the next time you come back". True words-for when I would return they would all be rifeled through again. Dearest, John, I'm really going to miss you and your wonderful, chaotic-but soothing bookstore.

Jim Grumley

February 24, 2023

I only got to know John well during the last few years. Last time I was in before he passed, he said he had found a book on Korea that I had been looking for and had put it in the stack of books behind the counter . However, we agreed that if he pulled the book out from the stack, it was likely that the stack behind him would fall all over him. We decided to wait until the next time I was in. Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to see him again. John was a fine man and a great book man. May he rest in peace.

Catherine Burge

February 21, 2023

Uncle John would drive to Detroit for holiday meals and always had an empty U-haul towed on the back of his car because there was always a library, estate or book sale taking place. He wasn't going back to Chicago empty-handed! Some of those books are probably still in a warehouse today.

Manuel M.

February 21, 2023

A mentor, teacher, and friend... A great bookman and a decent man. Heartbroken at his passing, but also for the loss of the bookstore, which was one-of-a-kind. It was my favorite bookstore in the world. The last of the great booksellers... May he rest in peace.

Paul B

February 20, 2023

The best bookstore ever - most don´t know it had a name etched into the window facing Clark - BOOKS Rare-Medium-Well Done....John was a gracious and welcoming bookseller, knew everything Chicago and most everything else, and he lived and worked his passion - A Chicago legend lost- rest in peace John Chandler

Mike Lotus

February 20, 2023

Regular customer since 1987. I am surrounded every day by books I bought at his store. Many enjoyable conversations. A unique man, and a unique store. Rest In Peace. We will not see the like again.

Heather L. (Guigle) Frampton

February 19, 2023

Thank you, Mr. Chandler, for decades of contributing to mine and my families' personal libraries. We always enjoyed planning to see you when visiting my side of the family in Chicago, too. Also, like a "brother from another mother" to my Dad... a treasured family friend. May you rest in peace. We will miss you!

D.H

February 19, 2023

As you remember your love one, as God heals your broken hearts (psalm 147:3) may your cherished memories bring you peace, comfort, strength to endure.

Angie

February 17, 2023

Angie

February 17, 2023

Angie

February 17, 2023

I am so very sorry to hear of John's passing. I was a loyal customer of his wonderful book shop. We loved chatting and I'd pop in to browse and find out what he was up to. John knew I was a collage artist who sometimes bought a book that was destined to be taken apart. When finalizing my purchase he'd ask but then would add he didn't want to know. : ) I will sure miss John. One of a kind. Both the man and the store. Rest in Peace old friend.

Scott Ward

February 17, 2023

Scott Ward

February 17, 2023

Scott Ward

February 17, 2023

Scott Ward

February 17, 2023

I started buying books from John in 1989. I moved out of the neighborhood to Kansas City in 2004 but continued to bring my family & friends to Bookman´s Corner every year. John was always friendly and remembered me every time. He was a great guy. His store was one of the greatest bookstores on earth. He will be missed.

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