Chandler Bakley

Chandler “Chuck” Cole Bakley

Chandler “Chuck” Cole Bakley, 27 of Mitchell, South Dakota, formerly of Martin, South Dakota passed away unexpectedly Friday, January 16th, 2026.

Chandler was born May 5th, 1998, to Mike and Sherry Bakley in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. He spent his young years growing up in the family home in Martin, SD where he attended the Bennett County Grade School, Junior High, and High School. While growing up he participated in football, wrestling, baseball, 4-H shooting sports, hunting, fishing and being annoyingly good at anything and everything he tried. During the summers, he spent most of his time working alongside Grandpa Bennett on the family farm, as well as playing cowboy for family and friends. After high school Chandler attended Dakota Wesleyan University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Ag Business and working for Lacreek Electric as summer help. However, one degree wasn’t enough for Chandler as he continued his education at Mitchell Technical College and graduated from their Power Line Construction and Maintenance program. Soon after graduation, Chandler secured a job as an apprentice lineman at Central Electric Cooperative.

On October 19th, 2024, Chandler completed his lifelong battery, marrying Angie McDonnell in Rapid City, South Dakota. The two lived together in Mitchell, SD while Chandler continued working as an apprentice lineman for Central Electric.

Chandler played amateur baseball for the Winner-Colome Pheasants during the summers and was known to regularly attend the “Old Man’s” group on Wednesday nights. You could find him out on the local golf course on any given day, or up bright and early hunting in a rural field. Occasionally, he might be spending a night playing blackjack in Deadwood. If he wasn’t out and about, he was probably at home playing Gordon Ramsey in his own kitchen. Chuck had an “all-in” attitude towards anything he was a part of, from a friendly game of cards or cornhole to dominating on the baseball diamond. He made sure the time he spent with family and friends was only of the highest quality, ensuring to give them all the attention and care they needed.

Surviving Chandler is his wife, Angie; parents Mike and Sherry; brother Jordon, wife Noelle, and their children Teagan, Reid, and Maisyn; brother Tyler and wife Anna; sister Erica; and grandmothers Jean Bakley and Toni Milk. He is preceded in death by grandfathers Bennett Bakley and Joe Milk, and great uncle Ron Haag.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. with the vigil starting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 21st at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart church.

Funeral services will start at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Old American Legion with Father John officiating. Burial will be at the Martin Community Cemetery following the funeral.

Pallbearers will be Jordon Bakley, Tyler Bakley, Jon McDonnell, Marcus Heath, Rhett Fanning, Will Risse, Brendan Kamerzell, Kyle Bailey, Drew DeMers, Patrick Starr, Luke Wodahl, Cody Riggs, Les Cuny, Lakin Neugebauer, Connor Hopkins, Wyatt Kayser, and Cameron Quigley.

Honorary Pallbearers are the Dakota Wesleyan University Baseball Family, the Winner-Colome Pheasants Baseball Family, the Lacreek Electric Employees, the Central Electric Employees, past coaches, Bert Ready, Johnny Greicar, Brandon “Petey” Petersen, and the Wednesday Night Crew.

The family will have a memorial to be determined at a later date.