Chan Woo Lee

Chan Woo Lee, 90, of Elkhart, Indiana, passed away on March 1, 2026 in the church that he loved and surrounded by his brothers and sisters in Christ. His family joined in mourning of his sudden passing but grateful that his departure was quick and painless.

Born on December 23, 1935, in Daejeon, Korea, to Jongsuk Lee and Whansoon Yook, Chan was raised with strong values of diligence, humility, and devotion to family. From his earliest days, he learned the importance of hard work and perseverance, the qualities that would define his character and shape the legacy he leaves behind.

Chan appreciated nature and the comfort of home. Fishing was one of his great joys, whether casting a line into Lake Michigan or sharing time with his sons by the water, he found peace in those moments. Gardening was another of his passions. He took pride in harvesting vegetables from his garden and sharing his bounty with friends and family. He enjoyed nurturing plants and creating beautiful flower beds around his home in Michigan City. His garden was more than a hobby, it was a reflection of his persistence and hope. Chan also had a special hand in the kitchen. Unlike men of his generation, he was comfortable in the kitchen and cooked alongside his wife. The kitchen was the center of family gatherings and many fond memories.

Above all else, Chan's life was centered on his family. He shared a remarkable life filled with love with his beloved wife, Jaesook (Sim) Lee. Married for 67 devoted years, theirs was a partnership built on respect, patience, shared faith, and unwavering commitment. Together they built a home filled with love and firm resolve to succeed in life. Chan's wife's passing on February 14, 2025, marked the end of the journey that they shared in this life but the strength of their bond remained evident in the family they nurtured together.

A gentle and nurturing man, Chan owned a ChoongNam Pharmacy in Korea from 1958 to 1975, caring for many in his community. When he arrived in Michigan City in 1975, he worked physical jobs to care for his family, working at Arno Adhesives and then joining Bethlehem Steel Mill, from where he retired at 65. Through it all, his wife and 3 sons worked hard alongside him.

A man of faith, Chan was a longtime member of Michiana Korean Presbyterian Church in Elkhart. His church community was an extension of his family. As a devoted deacon, he served faithfully and humbly, offering his time and his quiet wisdom. He believed that faith was more than words, requiring action and something to be lived daily through kindness, integrity, and service. Those who worshiped alongside him will remember his steady and gentle presence.

Those who knew Chan will remember a man of quiet dignity, steady hands, and a warm heart. His life was not defined by grand gestures, but by consistent acts of love, responsibility, and faithfulness. Through his example, he taught his family the enduring value of loyalty, dedication, and perseverance.

While his family mourns his passing, they also give thanks for a life well lived, a life rich in love, and anchored in devotion to those he held dear. Chan Woo Lee's memory will live on in the stories shared around family tables, in gardens carefully tended, in quiet mornings by the water, and in the faithful hearts of all who were blessed to know him.

Chan was preceded in death by his parents; his brother and 3 sisters; and his beloved wife, Jaesook. Though he endured the sorrow of these losses, he remained strong.

He leaves behind a loving family who will forever cherish his memory: his children, Sanghak (Mia) Lee, Sangmin (Melanie) Lee, and Sangyoung (Esther) Lee; his treasured grandchildren, Jennifer Sung, Daniel Lee, Emily Lanham, Jocelyne Mei, Thomas Lee, Samantha Lee, and Jessica Lee; and 13 precious great-grandchildren, each of whom brought him immense pride and joy. His legacy is reflected in their lives, in their strength, their compassion, and their devotion to one another.

A visitation/viewing will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Michiana Korean Presbyterian Church, 29400 County Road 10, Elkhart, Indiana 46514. A funeral service will immediately follow at the church, with burial concluding at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.

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