Josephine Chamberlain

Josephine Chamberlain, age 84, of Miles, Iowa, passed away Christmas night, 2008. She went peacefully from this world to Paradise surrounded by her loving family at the Alverno Health Care Facility in Clinton, Iowa. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 30, 2008, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Preston, Iowa. Family and friends are invited to a time of food and fellowship at the church following the ceremony. The interment will then follow at the Calvary Hill Cemetery in Fulton, Illinois. The wake will be held from 5 – 7:00 p.m. Monday, December 29, with a vigil service at 6:30 p.m., at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Josephine, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Lobe) Patton, was born March 5, 1924, in Carlinville, Illinois. She married Robert Blair on January 17, 1946. Bob died in July of 1967. She married Jerry Chamberlain on November 27, 1971. Jerry passed away December 10, 2008. Josephine was an active member of St. Joseph’s Church in Preston, Iowa. She celebrated her 50th year as a member of Catholic Daughters of America in 2008. She was very proud of her affiliations with the National Association of Retired Railway Employees, The Moose Lodge, American Legion Auxiliary, and the Catholic Order of Foresters. Also, as a young mother in Savanna, Illinois, Josephine enjoyed working with the Girl Scouts of America.Josephine was married for 37 years to Jerry Chamberlain, who recently passed away December 10, 2008. They enjoyed their involvement with the Genealogical Society and the Albany Historical Society. They genuinely embraced their roles as stewards of our earth on their farm outside of Miles, Iowa. Many days were spent looking out their picture window or on the swing, enjoying the wildlife and the scenery. Josephine loved the outdoors. She enjoyed plants and animals, especially birds. She imparted to her children, grandchildren, and great – grandchildren her love for nature. Josephine is survived by a sister, Alethea Ward of Carlinville, Illinois; sister – law – Madonna Forcier of Tucson, Arizona; two daughters, Rosemary (David) Wright of Kannapolis, North Carolina, and Kay (Jerry) Ferris of Edgewood, Maryland; and one son, Dick (Terri) Blair of Cordova, Illinois. She will be adoringly remembered by numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great – grandchildren. Josephine was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, and one sister, Justina Patton.