Earl Charles Chamberlain

Earl C. Chamberlain, age 93 of Nebr. City passed away on Monday, October 11, 2021 at his home.

Earl Charles Chamberlain was born on June 6, 1928 at rural Herman, NE; the son of Charles W. and Lillie (Fransen) Chamberlain. 

On June 27, 1947, he was united in marriage to Norma Jane Walters in Seneca, KS.  They shared nearly 74 years together before her passing earlier this year, on April 22, 2021.

Earl was a truck driver for over 50 years and drove over four million miles during his working years.  He drove truck for Whitehead and Ransdell Gas Transport, Dawson Oil Company, and W&H Manufacturers for over 30 years.   He attended First Baptist Church in Nebraska City. 

Earl loved to hunt birds and fish, spending many hours on the Missouri River and over it.  As a young boy he would climb the old train bridge catching pigeons to raise. He had many stories of these adventures.

Earl was known as 'the tootsie roll man' passing out tootsie rolls to all he met.  He found pleasure when he could brighten up one’s life with a smile and a tootsie roll. 

Earl provided the team of white horses to pull the carriages for the Nebraskaland Magazine photo shoot taken at Arbor Lodge for the Nebraska Centennial in 1967 and used his team for other Centennial celebrations. He loved his antique Farmall tractors. 

Since Earl was 17, Norma was the love of his life. After her passing he often said the best half of him was gone.  She was his world.  As he said, " The perfect match".  He was preceded in death by his wife  Norma; infant daughter Linda Earlene Chamberlain and son David Chamberlain.

Earl is survived by his children:  Marla Van (Mike) of Nebr. City, Earl “Butch” Chamberlain Jr. of Imogene, IA, Christie Rodriquez (Troy) of Dunbar, NE, Laurie Hartman (Steve) of Fairfax, MO and Janene Russell (Patrick) of Jansen, NE; daughter-in-law Tami Chamberlain of Carlsbad, NM; 18 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren and 15 great-great grandchildren; sister-in-law Shirley Morris; other family and friends.

A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, October 18, 2021 at First Baptist Church in Nebr. City with Rev. Keith Hunt officiating.  The services will be Live Streamed on Gude Funeral Homes Facebook page.  Burial will follow the service at Camp Creek Cemetery south of Nebr. City.

The family will greet friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday (10/17) at Gude Mortuary in Nebr. City.

Memorials may be given to the family in his memory.

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