Anna Mae Chamberlin

Anna Mae (Fearey) Chamberlin, 97, of Freeport, IL, passed away peacefully on January 14, 2025 after a short illness. Anna was born on March 7, 1927 in Bartonville, IL to Harry and Nellie (Keshner) Fearey.

Anna spent her early years in Pekin, IL with her family: father Harry, mother Nellie, sisters MaryJane and Beverly, and brother Harry, Jr. On November 16, 1956 she married James A. (Jim) Chamberlin and moved to Bloomington, IL She lived there until 1965 when Jim's career brought them to Freeport, IL where she spent the remainder of her life.

Anna was a homemaker and mother but she also worked at the JoAnn Fabric store in Freeport. This fueled her longtime love of sewing. Anna was an excellent seamstress. She could do just about anything with a needle: quilting, needlepoint, cross-stitch, embroidery, making clothes, and then some. She also loved to dance. She and Jim could often be found dancing with their friends on a Friday night. They even took up square dancing at the Senior Center and would put on shows at many local nursing homes. Dancing with Jim brought her true joy. Another love she shared with Jim was fishing. They spent many summer days fishing for bluegills and catfish from their houseboat on the Mississippi River. When Jim retired, they became "snow-birds." They spent many winters in Brownsville, Texas before moving to Mesa, Arizona, where they spent their winters until he died in 2007.

Prior to her passing, Anna lived at WinnPrairie assisted living facility where she participated in many activities and made many new friends. She was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Freeport, IL.

Anna was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Nellie Fearey, her husband, Jim Chamberlin, her brother Harry Fearey, Jr., her sisters MaryJane Butterfield and Beverly Wilson, her sons Todd Chamberlin and Ted Chamberlin, and her stepson, Richard Ramirez.

She is survived by her son Thomas Homer (D'Anne), stepdaughter Diane Ramirez, and Daughter-in-law Maria Chamberlin; Grandchildren Chris (Rassny) Homer, Shawn (Shawna Heck) Homer, Matthew (Jennie) Homer, Kaitlyn (Matt) Mau, Nancy Chamberlin, Jimmy Chamberlin, and Andrew Chamberlin, Ronan (Nataliya), Ramirez and Roderic Ramirez and step-grandchildren Corey (Cory) Daggert and Joshua Canny.. She is also survived by many great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at a later date with interment at Glendale Memorial Gardens cemetery in Pekin, IL.