Wendell Chamberlain

1926 - 2014

Wendell Eugene Chamberlain, 87, of East River Rd. passed away Thursday (July 31, 2014) before the sun came up.

Born September 9, 1926 in the Town of Belfast he was the son of Dorance L. Chamberlain and Ruby Grace Foster Chamberlain. At three months of age Wendell moved from town to the farm of his grandfather on East River Rd where he lived with his parents till he married Virginia M. Deuell on July 15, 1951 in Saratoga Springs N.Y.

Wendell was a graduate of Belfast Central School class of 1944, Cornell University Class of 1951, where he earned a Bachelors Degree in Animal Science. Also Wendell took night classes at Houghton College to better serve his students while teaching High School Math at Belfast Central School 1966-1967.

On February 22, 1941 at the age of 14 Wendell joined Belfast Grange #1068. In time he became a member of the Allegany County Pamona Grange, the New York State Grange, and the National Grange. Locally, serving in almost every office, many offices in the Pamona Grange and several offices in the New York State Grange including New York State Grange Master 1975-1977. In later years he became a member of the Almond Grange. While in college as Master of the Cornell Grange he took a liking to the Lecturer, Virginia, whom he soon after married and spent the next 63 wonderful years.

On Pearl Harbor Day December 7, 1941 Wendell Joined the Belfast United Methodist Church. Here he served the Lord, his community, and many, many Swiss Steak Dinners.

Wendell served the Church in many ways including his time singing in the Choir. In his own words he always said.... "I sing for my own amusement and other peoples amazement!"

Wendell served his country in WWII entering The United States Army January 23, 1945. Private First Class Headquarters Company 3rd Battalion 165th Infantry Regiment. Earning an Expert Infantry Badge, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal with Japan Clasp. He was Honorably Discharged from service on November 25, 1946.
With his wife Virginia by his side after their wedding day they returned to Western New York and the Town of Belfast that he loved, to join the Family Dairy Farm. There they made their home and raised corn, cows and kids.

Wendell was not only a Farmer but a Conservationist. As a Dairy Farmer he was eternally optimistic. Always looking forward to the future, the next calf, the next crop, the next season. Caring not only for his family but the land itself. He loved to spend time in the woods on the farm not only cutting his wood for the winter, but trying to figure out how to get some of those walnuts from the yard to grow anywhere else!

Wendell served the Town of Caneadea as Supervisor, Tax Assessor, and Zoning Officer. Wendell served Allegany County, surrounding counties, and the State of New York with his participation in the Seneca Trail Resource Conservation & Development Council, and 42 or 43 years as Director of the Soil and Water Conservation District of Allegany County. Wendell also served in the Oramel and Belfast Volunteer Fire Departments.

Wendell is survived by his wife, Virginia; Six children, Carl (Heidi) Chamberlain of Amsterdam, N.Y., Sharon (Joe) Hartzold of Stanford, Ill.; Gerald (Beth) Chamberlain of Stillwater, N.Y.; Ellen (Jim) Woolley, Brian Chamberlain, Steven (Vicki) Chamberlain of Belfast, N.Y.; Two step-sisters, Joan Russell of Escondido, Calif.; Carol (Tony) Hann of Honolulu, Hawaii; 20 Grandchildren and 9 Great Grandchildren.

Wendell was predeceased in death by his Father, Mother, Step-Mother, two Brothers, a Daughter-In-Law, an Infant Daughter, and an Infant Granddaughter.
Friends may call at Treusdell Funeral Home in Belfast, Saturday (August 2, 2014) from 1-3 and 6-8 p.m. Funeral Services to be held at the Belfast United Methodist Church at 4 p.m. Sunday (August 3, 2014) the Rev. Nancy Russell Pastor will officiate. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery Belfast.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be sent to the Belfast Rescue Squad, Belfast Volunteer Fire Department, The Belfast United Methodist Church or the charity of the donors choice. Online condolences may be made at www.treusdellfuneralhome.com.