Obituary for Elaine Mae Chamberlain
Elaine Mae Chamberlain, age 91, of Mapleton, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, March 15, 2018, at the Maple Heights Nursing Home of Mapleton, Iowa.
A Funeral Service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, March 24, 2018 at the Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa. Rev. Jena Manchester will officiate; with Committal Services following in the Mt. Hope Cemetery of Mapleton, Iowa. A visitation will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., Saturday, March 24, 2018 at the Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa. The Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home Mapleton, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com.
Elaine Mae (Gilkerson) Chamberlain was born on February 27, 1927, at home in Mapleton, Iowa to Robert Hart Gilkerson and Blanche Mae (McCleerey) Gilkerson. She attended school in Mapleton and one accomplishment she was proud of was winning the Spelling Bee in 4th grade. She graduated with the class of 1945, which has been a very close-knit graduating class. They have enjoyed many reunions through the years and many have continued to exchange Christmas cards throughout their adult lives.
Elaine married Dewaine C. Chamberlain on July 26, 1948, and to this union five children were born: Craig, Marla, Daniel, Mark, and Larry. Elaine was a "stay-at-home" mom but also assisted in Dewaine's electrical business and worked at Reed's Furniture store. She was a member of the Legion Auxiliary, volunteered for several years at the Auxiliary Food Pantry, and belonged to the Royal Neighbors. When she wasn't doing anything else, she and Aunt Joyce (best friends since 2nd grade) put in many miles on their long walks around Mapleton.
Her selfless qualities were undeniable. If one word were chosen to describe her, it would be "altruistic." She asked for nothing for herself and never complained; everything was always, "that's all right."
She was an excellent knitter and spent countless hours knitting slippers, sweaters, blankets, etc. as well as sewing many of the clothes for the family. Her other "claim to fame" was in being a direct descendant of John Hart, signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Elaine is survived by her children Craig (Susan), Marla (Fred), Daniel (Landra), Mark, and Larry; grandchildren Shauna (Jay), Traci (Todd), Brent, Lisa (Nick), Jill (Chris), Nathan (Katie) and Nick (fiancee Anna); great-grandchildren Khrystyna, Colton, Ty, Tanner, Taeja, Connor, Ella, Ireland, Finnegan, Breccan, Jack, Ryan, and Harriet.
She was preceded in death by her husband Dewaine; parents Robert and Blanche Gilkerson; brother Willard “Bill” (Mary Louise) Gilkerson; sister Roberta (Marshall) Hargrave; sisters-in-law Joyce (Merle) Davis, Norma Jean “Jinky” (Dick) Beery; brothers-in-law Junior and Billy Joe.
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A Funeral Service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, March 24, 2018 at the Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa. Rev. Jena Manchester will officiate; with Committal Services following in the Mt. Hope Cemetery of Mapleton, Iowa. A visitation will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., Saturday, March 24, 2018 at the Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa. The Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home Mapleton, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com.
Elaine Mae (Gilkerson) Chamberlain was born on February 27, 1927, at home in Mapleton, Iowa to Robert Hart Gilkerson and Blanche Mae (McCleerey) Gilkerson. She attended school in Mapleton and one accomplishment she was proud of was winning the Spelling Bee in 4th grade. She graduated with the class of 1945, which has been a very close-knit graduating class. They have enjoyed many reunions through the years and many have continued to exchange Christmas cards throughout their adult lives.
Elaine married Dewaine C. Chamberlain on July 26, 1948, and to this union five children were born: Craig, Marla, Daniel, Mark, and Larry. Elaine was a "stay-at-home" mom but also assisted in Dewaine's electrical business and worked at Reed's Furniture store. She was a member of the Legion Auxiliary, volunteered for several years at the Auxiliary Food Pantry, and belonged to the Royal Neighbors. When she wasn't doing anything else, she and Aunt Joyce (best friends since 2nd grade) put in many miles on their long walks around Mapleton.
Her selfless qualities were undeniable. If one word were chosen to describe her, it would be "altruistic." She asked for nothing for herself and never complained; everything was always, "that's all right."
She was an excellent knitter and spent countless hours knitting slippers, sweaters, blankets, etc. as well as sewing many of the clothes for the family. Her other "claim to fame" was in being a direct descendant of John Hart, signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Elaine is survived by her children Craig (Susan), Marla (Fred), Daniel (Landra), Mark, and Larry; grandchildren Shauna (Jay), Traci (Todd), Brent, Lisa (Nick), Jill (Chris), Nathan (Katie) and Nick (fiancee Anna); great-grandchildren Khrystyna, Colton, Ty, Tanner, Taeja, Connor, Ella, Ireland, Finnegan, Breccan, Jack, Ryan, and Harriet.
She was preceded in death by her husband Dewaine; parents Robert and Blanche Gilkerson; brother Willard “Bill” (Mary Louise) Gilkerson; sister Roberta (Marshall) Hargrave; sisters-in-law Joyce (Merle) Davis, Norma Jean “Jinky” (Dick) Beery; brothers-in-law Junior and Billy Joe.
Previous Events
Visitation
Saturday
24
Mar
12:30 PM
- 1:30 PM
Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home - Mapleton
210 South 5th Street
Mapleton, IA 51034
Funeral Service
Saturday
24
Mar
1:30 PM
Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home - Mapleton
210 South 5th Street
Mapleton, IA 51034
Cemetery Details
Location
Mt. Hope Cemetery
Mapleton, Iowa
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