Madan Chand (06/02/1946 – 12/09/2022)

"In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you."

Madan Chand (76) passed away peacefully on December 9, 2022 in his home surrounded by his wife, Sheila Varma and sons, Ravi and Vijay Chand. Madan was born on June 2, 1946 in Myitkyina, Burma to Shri Prithvi Chand and Shrimati Kausalya Devi Agarwal.

Madan studied engineering at Rangoon Institute of Technology. After his studies, he was a professor at RIT for a few years before accepting a position at Pearl and Fisheries as an engineer. It was there that he met Sheila Varma and they wedded shortly after. Four years later, they welcomed their first son, Ravi Chand, and 13 months after that, welcomed their second son, Vijay Chand. Madan wanted a better life for his family so on December 6, 1989, he took his family West to America and stayed in the greater Chicago area for a short time before settling in Sterling, IL. Sterling was home to Madan and his family for over 20 years and he made many friends there who quickly became family. He worked as a civil engineer for the Illinois Department of Transportation until he retired in 2014.

Madan and Sheila, now with empty nests and grandchildren to adore, moved to Aurora, IL after retirement. He enjoyed the outdoors, playing with his 4 grandchildren, walking in the sun, cooking, eating and good conversations with friends and family. He had a gift to make others smile and brought joy into every room. He has gone above and beyond helping others with his generosity, assisting many with getting settled into this country.

In May of 2020, Madan was diagnosed with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer. At that time, the doctors had given him a short prognosis, but with prayer, a miracle and science, he was able to live joyfully through 2021 and part of 2022, traveling locally, eating, and embracing life with the people he loved. His devotion to Buddhism remained unwavering throughout his adult life, and he was instrumental in instilling that devotion in the generations after him.

He is survived by his wife Sheila Varma, son Ravi Chand and family, son Vijay Chand and family, sisters Usha Rani Agarwal and Asha Rani Agarwal, and brother Rajinder Kumar Agarwal.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to McCauley-Sullivan Funeral Home & Crematorium.