Frank Chamberlain

FRANK KEITH CHAMBERLAIN, 68, died at 5:52 a.m. Dec. 13, 2006, at Lima Memorial Health System. He was born Jan. 17, 1938, in Bluffton to F. Edgar and Beulah Augsburger Chamberlain, who preceded him in death. On Sept. 23, 1961, he married Jean Johnson, who survives in Lima. Mr. Chamberlain, along with his wife and David Huckeriede, founded Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home on North Cable Road in 1992. They built it up to be one of the largest funeral homes in northwest Ohio. He had also worked at Siferd Funeral Home for 35 years, serving 20 years as a general manager and 10 years as president of the company. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, where he served on the memorial committee. He had been a member of First Baptist Church, for 25 years. He served as president of the 3rd District Ohio Funeral Directors Association, where he had served on the board of directors for four years and was elected as a delegate at large serving four more years on the OFDA board. He served on several boards, include the Boy Scouts and the Lima City Schools PTA. He served seven years on the Council on Aging Senior Citizens board and was the board president during the construction and opening of the Senior Citizens Center on West Elm Street. He was chosen one of the 10 outstanding young men in Lima by the Lima Jaycees. He was a member of Lima Host Lions Club for more than 45 years, serving in every capacity. He was social chairman for the Lions for more than 30 years and did extensive work with the Starlight Club. In 2001, he was the recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellow Award, the highest award bestowed by the Lions. He was a member of Lodge 205 Free & Accepted Masons, Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 370 and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 54. He was also active in the local AARP. He was instrumental in the organization of Westgate and Crestwood neighborhood associations, serving on both boards and as president of the Westgate Neighborhood Association. He was a graduate of Bluffton High School, attended Bowling Green State University, where he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity, and was a graduate of Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. His love for people and helping people in time of need was his strongest asset. Survivors also include a son, F. Stephen (Debra) Chamberlain, of Lima, and his children, Andrew and Victoria Chamberlain; a son, Timothy Allan (Lisa) Chamberlain, of Holland, Ohio, and his children, Brian and Adam Chamberlain; a foster son, William (Lisa) Foster, of Lima, and his children, Andrea, Rebecca and Billy Foster; a sister, Elisa Valentine, of Daytona Beach, Fla., and her children, Kim (Jim) Huggins, of Marietta, Lisa (Jim) Kline, of Columbus, and Scott (Lisa) Valentine, of Ashland; a sister-in-law, Jane (Dick) Long, of Lisbon, Maine, and her children, Craig Long, of Lisbon, Maine, and Jessica (Daryl) Morrill, of Lewiston, Maine; a brother-in-law, Carl (Helen) Pancake, of Fort Wayne, Ind., and his daughter, Carla (Ron) Young, of Willshire; and several great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, John Valentine; and a sister-in-law, Joyce Pancake. Services will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at Trinity United Methodist Church. Wanda Werking and the Rev. David Harris and the Rev. Ed Wireman will officiate. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. Condolences may be expressed at www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com.