By Nancy Bowman
Jesse Chamberlain, a man of many experiences and accomplishments, has added another with the celebration of his 100thbirthday.
Chamberlain was recognized earlier this month with a proclamation read by Mayor Joe Gibson during Tipp City Council’s meeting. His birthday, March 30, was designated Jesse Chamberlain Day in the community he has called home since the 1960s.
“One of the reasons Tipp City is a great place is the people, people who give of themselves,” Gibson said in commenting on Chamberlain’s contributions.
He came to Tipp City on taking a job at a local bank, soon becoming involved on City Council and in many local organizations.
In early 1970, Chamberlain was asked by former Tipp City Foundation president Penny Finch to fill a vacancy in the foundation secretary position. That began 50 years of foundation involvement that concluded in 2020.
To salute Chamberlain, the foundation board made all grants awarded for the first quarter of 2021 in his honor. His family is suggesting a birthday tribute to Chamberlain to be a gift to the foundation in his name. Gifts can be sent to the Tipp City Foundation, P.O. Box 626, Tipp City.
Chamberlain also was involved in Tipp City Rotary, Tipp City United Methodist Church, Tipp City United Way and many other organizations. Chamberlain was the Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year in 1986.
He has four children, one deceased; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren, said his daughter, Lauren Czehut.
He remains active in leasing and acquisition of supplies and giving tours of family farms in Logan County, she said.
The family is pleased with his love of Tipp City and the foundation, Czehut said.
“He absolutely loves the town. From the minute he moved in, that was his town,” she said.
Plans were to hold small gatherings for the 100th birthday celebration due to COVID-19, along with a Zoom celebration for those across the country and beyond, said daughter Janet Chamberlain.
Longevity runs in the Chamberlain family, she said, noting Chamberlain’s parents both lived into their 90s and his grandmother celebrated her 100th birthday.
Her father, Janet Chamberlain said, “stressed the importance on continuing to educate yourself always and to participate in life, and to accept change.”
Growing up in North Lewisburg in Champaign County, Chamberlain attended Antioch College before being drafted into the Army during World War II.
He trained as a medic and served in the anti-aircraft battalion known as the “Fighting 440.” The group landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day+3. Its mission was shooting down low-flying enemy aircraft and protecting bridges and roads leading from the beach.
He also fought in the Battle of the Bulge and narrowly escaped the Malmedy Massacre in 1944 when German soldiers killed American prisoners of war in Belgium.
He was recognized for his service by the French government in 2015, with the award of the French Legion of Honor. The medal is the highest distinction that can be given by the French government.