James R. Chamberlin, 90, community leader, World War II veteran, and life-long resident of Turbotville, PA, departed this life on June 16, 2018, at Geisinger Medical Center of Danville.
Born May 13, 1928, in the Borough of Northumberland, he was the third of ten children of the late David C. Chamberlin and Bernece (Ebert) Chamberlin of Turbotville.
Mr. Chamberlin is survived by six children from two marriages, 13 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren. He leaves the following descendants: Carol Chamberlin of Mansfield and her children, Jamie R. Smith, Omar Rodriguez, Jr., and Jennifer C. Daubert; Debbie Snyder of Alexandria, Virginia and her daughter, Cheri Snyder; Rocky Snyder, of Virginia Beach, Virginia and his daughter, Kristie Hartzel; Roileen D. Chamberlin of Georgetown, Texas and her daughter, Diana C. Fowler; Steven M. Snyder and his wife, Margie, and their daughter Megan of Turbotville and his children, April, Jennifer, Joseph, Amanda, and Josh; and, Dr. Jeffrey R. Chamberlin and his wife, Jamie, and son, Xavier, of Mifflinburg.
He leaves his siblings, Sally Taylor of Montoursville, John and Wayne of Spring Mills, Mary Yagel of Albion, New York, Lewis of Howard, and Rebecca of Bellefonte.
Mr. Chamberlin was preceded in death, in 2004, by his second wife, June I. (Baker) Chamberlin, a son, Todd Dio, in 1973, and three brothers, Charles, Dio, and Fred Chamberlin.
Mr. Chamberlin attended Turbotville Schools before enlisting in the U.S. Marines Corps during World War II, serving from 1945-1949. As a machine gun crewman, he saw combat with the Sixth Marine Division in Burma and then in China, where he served for 33 months. He completed his service as a corporal and earning the Marine Good Conduct Medal, World War 2 Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Campaign Medal, China Service Medal, and Marine Corps Service Medal.
After military service, he attended the Pennsylvania Institute, School of Trades, in Philadelphia where he trained as a brick mason. Employed for more than 40 years in the building trades, he assisted with the building of the Corning ovens in New York, the Administration Building of Mansfield State College, and Warrior Run High School, to name a few. Mr. Chamberlin was a life-time member and officer of Williamsport Local 19 of the International Union Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers.
Mr. Chamberlin dedicated his life as a veterans’ advocate and organization leader, serving in positions from service officer to district commander. He was instrumental in establishing a local chapter of the Marine Corps League, serving as a charter member of the Marine Corps League, Susquehanna Valley Detachment, as well as its first Commandant in 1972. He also held a life-time membership in the USMC’s Military Order of the Devil Dogs. The Marine Corps League is among the oldest chartered veterans’ organizations in the United States. His father, David, encouraged his membership in The American Legion where he was recently recognized for 70 years of service to American Legion Post 71 of Milton, while also being a member of the Past Commanders Club. The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 8206 of Turbotville, also benefited from his leadership. He served two terms as post commander and one term as VFW District 12 Commander. Mr. Chamberlin dedicated his life to improve the lives of residents of the Turbotville community: serving multiple terms on the Turbotville Borough Council; serving as director of the Turbotville Cemetery Association Board; serving with Turbotville Fire Department (now Warrior Run Area Fire Department), while holding various positions, including, Volunteer Fire Police Chief; serving the Warrior Run Area School District as Volunteer School Police Chief; Emergency Management Coordinator, Turbotville Borough; and, being appointed as a Special Deputy Sheriff of Northumberland County.
He was also a life member of Loyal Order of Moose, Lodge 71, Milton, for more than 55 years and was a former member of Zion Lutheran Church, Turbotville. He was a charter member of the Warrior Run Fort Freeland Heritage Society. Recently, Mr. Chamberlin became active in the Turbotville Community Hall Corporation, as a founder, first president, and board director. This organization was created to preserve the historic Turbotville Community Hall building and grounds, as well as to create recreational programs and leisure-time activities to meet the needs of Turbotville residents.
Mr. Chamberlin was active in local politics. He served numerous terms in the Turbotville Democratic Party Committee for the 108thDistrict and was a president of the West End Democratic Club.
Over the years, Mr. Chamberlin was recognized with various awards and commendations, including: California Grange – 941 Community Service Award; VFW Distinguished Service Award; and, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, House of Representatives Citation, for more than sixty years of service to the Warrior Run Area Fire Department. He was also selected as the 2016 Grand Marshall of the Turbotville Area Community Carnival Parade. Recently, Mr. Chamberlin was awarded an honorary high school diploma by the Warrior Run Board of Education, “in acknowledgement of a lifetime of learning and achievement that has enriched the State of Pennsylvania.”
Mr. Chamberlin was a life-long hunter and fisherman. He maintained memberships in the National Audubon Society, the National Rifle Association, Toys for Tots, and the American Cancer Society.
Friends and family will be received at Brooks Funeral Home & Cremation Services PC, 207 Broadway St., Turbotville, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, June 22, 2018, and 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., Saturday, June 23, 2018, followed by a 1:00 pm service with, Reverend Shane Chamberlin, minister at Mifflinburg Church of the Nazarene, his grandnephew, will officiate the service. Burial with full military honors will follow in Turbotville Cemetery.
Donations in Mr. Chamberlin’s honor may be made to the following organizations: Marine Corps League, Susquehanna Valley Detachment 308, American Legion Post, 841 Railroad Street, Montandon, PA 17850; Turbotville Community Hall Corporation, P.O. Box 313, Turbotville, PA 17772; and, Moose International, Mooseheart, Child City & School, Inc., Mooseheart, IL 60539.
