O. Jesse Chamberlain Jr. passed away on Friday, May 14th at the age of 100. Born in Urbana, Ohio on March 30, 1921 to parents Oliver Jesse Sr. and Carrie Hunter Chamberlain. Jesse was a lifelong Ohio resident.
He graduated from North Lewisburg (Triad) High School and attended Antioch College until drafted in the U.S. Army. As a medic in the army, Jesse saw action at Normandy during D-Day plus 3 and the Battle of the Bulge. For his service to the country of France, Jess was awarded the French Legion of Honor.
After his discharge from the Army, Jess worked in the family feed business before becoming a banker in Cedarville and later moved to Tipp City. For nearly his entire career, Jess worked in banking in Tipp City and he retired from Fifth-Third Bank. Upon retiring from banking, Jess began a second career as development officer for Wenco Steel.
Jess was committed to his hometown and for over 50 years served in many capacities in a variety of volunteer and elected offices: City Council, Tipp City Foundation, Rotary, United Way, and the Tipp United Methodist Church.
Jess is survived by his loving companion Jeannette Long and three children: Lauren Czehut (Donald), Janet Chamberlain (Larry Twigg) and Oliver Jesse Chamberlain III (Mary). Additionally, Jess has nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren.