Alexander James Chalmers

Alexander James Chalmers, 97, of Morton, IL, died on July 30, 2025 after a short illness. He leaves behind his beloved wife Arlene Loraine Chalmers, his six children Nicole Johnson (Charles), Kristin Chalmers (David Wielenga), Megan Chalmers, Maureen Sipes (Michael), Erin Lopez (Joseph), Patrick Chalmers (Nichole), 9 grandchildren Cameron Johnson, Dylan Johnson (Tycie), Evan Johnson, Claire Johnson, Griffin Sipes, Ian Sipes, Payton Lopez, Gavin Lopez, Amelia Lopez and 2 great grandchildren Brooks Johnson and Reid Johnson.

Alexander James Chalmers, known to many as Sandy, was born on the Isle of Pines, Cuba on April 28, 1928. He was the third of four sons born to Gertrude and James Chalmers. In 1946 he left the island to pursue his education in the United States and earned a degree in agriculture from Berea College, Berea, Kentucky in 1952. He headed to Waukesha, Wisconsin in 1955 to further his career in the food industry. A few years later he was set up on a blind date with Arlene Kuether and they were married in 1960. Arlene and Sandy moved to Palatine, Illinois and later to Mount Prospect, Illinois where they resided for over 50 years and raised their six children. Sandy worked in the candy business for the rest of his career and retired from Peerless Confection Company in 1995. After retirement he kept very busy with a large garden and well kept lawn in Mount Prospect, babysitting and handyman duties at his children’s homes, and furniture making and woodworking in his garage workshop. In 2018, Sandy and Arlene moved to Morton, Illinois where he kept busy tending to their home, visiting with family, and each spring itching to get outside as soon as the weather warmed up so he could work on his garden. In his last years, with limited mobility, one of his favorite activities was to water the pots on the patio from his patio chair.

He will be deeply missed and remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who always put his family first.