Obituaries : * Leonard M. Chadwell; WWII Veteran, Gardener
Leonard M. Chadwell, a World War II veteran and skilled gardener, has died. He was 84.
Chadwell, who lived in Ojai for the past 36 years, died Monday at the Ojai Valley Hospital’s Skilled Nursing Facility after a long illness, said his daughter, Suzan Dorothy Gandara of Anaheim.
Chadwell, who was born in Aromas in Northern California, joined the U.S. Army during WWII and was sent to Europe, his daughter said. He met his wife, Sheila, while he was in London, and they later married.
The couple moved to Ojai after he was hired as a salesman for the Blue Chip Stamp Co. Before moving to Ventura County, Chadwell owned a bar in Watsonville, Gandara said.
Upon retiring in 1970, Chadwell dedicated his time to his garden, growing everything from cucumbers to grapefruit and orange trees.
In addition to his wife and daughter, he is survived by another daughter, Shirley Anne Chadwell of Ventura; a son, Brian Barton Chadwell of Agoura Hills; a sister, Evelyn Wilson of Watsonville; two grandsons, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
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