Dickie Lee Chamberlain, 94, of Galesburg, died at 12:50 a.m. Tuesday, October 13, 2020, at Seminary Manor, Galesburg.
Dickie was born May 4, 1926, in Galesburg the son of Bert C. and Hazel Marie (Cotton) Chamberlain. He was born premature weighing less than 2 pounds but was determined to survive.
Dick married Susan Winters. They had one son, Rodney (Julie) Chamberlain of Toulon. He later married Thelma McCommons in 1980 in Knoxville and became a friend and step-father to Margaret Burger of Bloomington, Bob (Barb) McCommons of Knoxville, and Dave (Lisa) McCommons of Normal. He was known as Grandpa Tickles to grandchildren, Julie Barth, Michelle Berrios, Rob McCommons, Curt McCommons, Katie Perez, Patrick McCommons, Erin Stevenson, and Lauren Ollman. Dick was king of doing anything that the grandkids wanted to do. It’s no wonder their home was so popular with the grandkids and their friends. He is also a great grandfather to 18 and a great-great-grandfather to 2. Dick is also survived by sisters, Sue Allen of Toulon, Nancy Tracy of Wyoming, and Ruth Mayes of Florida. He was preceded in death by four sisters, Wilma “Toots” Cotton, Dorothy Duncan, Shirley Cade, and Mary Wood, two brothers, Bobby and Wayne; and his wife Thelma.
He attended Knoxville schools and remained friends with his classmates and pretty much every person he ever met throughout his life. Dick served 8 years in the Navy, many of those aboard a ship in the Pacific during WWII. He worked for Kress Mfg for many years in Galesburg. After retirement, Dick worked at Hy-Vee in Galesburg. Dick had a zest for life and enjoyed all things, especially bowling, fishing, golfing, and gardening. He spent endless hours playing cards and board games. His lifetime of cheering for the Chicago Cubs finally paid off when he watched them win the World Series.
Dick’s greatest legacy is his love of family. He taught by example to be kinder, gentler, friendlier, more charitable, forgiving, and most of all loving.
Cremation has been accorded. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, October 31, 2020, at Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, Galesburg, his great-grandson, Rev. Ethan Carnes of Peoria will officiate. There will be no visitation. Arrangements have been entrusted to Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Memorials may be made in Dick’s memory to the Knox County Humane Society. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
