Jeane Chambers, 87 of Butler, Missouri passed away February 24, 2018 at Serenity Care Center in Butler. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Monday, February 26, 2018 at Mullinax Funeral Home (660-679-0009) in Butler with Rev. Marla Kash officiating.
Visitation will be prior to services from 1-2 PM at Mullinax Funeral Home. Interment will follow services in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Butler Home Improvement Club. Messages and memories for the family may be left at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.
Erma Jean (Eichler) Chambers was born March 23, 1930 in Cowgill, Missouri. She was the 11th of 15 children born to Lawrence and Nettie (McBee) Eichler. After being united in marriage to Gene Chambers, the couple moved to Butler where they would make their home. In the 1950s, they operated Gene and Jeane’s Café in Butler. Jeane would go on to become extensively involved in her community.
Much of what Jeane will be remembered for was detailed in her nomination for the 2004 Governor’s Adult Leadership Award, which she deservedly won, most likely due to her membership in many civic and social clubs. Jeane held every office including President in Beta Sigma Phi (remaining a member for 64 years) Butler Home Improvement Club, and Better Homes Club. She served as chairperson of the Community Betterment Beautification Committee where during her tenure, the club was dedicated to city beautification projects. She was a member of the Butler Assembly of God Church and was an active participant in church projects and activities.
Jeane structured her life to be a mentor and role model for young people. When her children were young, she opened her home to her children’s friends and provided an excellent example of family life. She and Gene hosted the first foreign exchange student in Butler. Jeane loved all of her family and each member was very important to her.
Her local volunteer efforts included the hospital’s pink lady program, the Youth Advocacy Center, the Senior Center, and Boy Scouts. Perhaps the most impressive of her volunteer contributions, however, is several years of volunteer work at the Nevada State Mental Hospital. To work there, she drove 70 miles round trip. Jeane’s leadership in the Community Betterment Beautification Committee in Butler is responsible for the decorative flower boxes on all four sides of the Butler square, a project Jeane organized to include the planting of these boxes throughout the seasons. The community takes pride in that collaborative project, which continues today. Jeane’s leadership was well received by the community, and the committee was asked to create other beautification projects throughout the city as well. The sense of pride in the community has definitely been influenced by the work of Jeane Chambers.
Jeane traveled throughout Europe to include Italy, and also Israel, but said that her greatest accomplishment was being baptized in the Jordan River. Jeane was competitive and put her all into everything she did to include water sports, bowling and golf. She was an avid basketball fan and enjoyed watching it every chance she had. She played bridge and belonged to several bridge clubs in Butler.
Jeane was kind-hearted, not someone who gossiped, and looked for the good in people and always lent a helping hand; yet she was also someone who spoke the truth at times even if you didn’t like it. Jeane’s love for God was great and she put Him first in her life. She wanted to spread the word that the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ. Now she is in heaven with the Lord and her loved ones.
Jeane was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gene Chambers, and three sons: James, Jerry and Jeffry. She is survived by her son Lawrence (Ann) Chambers of Gladstone, Missouri; daughter-in-law D’Lesia Chambers of Bolivar, Missouri; daughter Vicki (Curtis) Vail of Butler, Missouri; sister Donna Boxx of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; grandchildren Lori, Kyle Ane, Jessica, and Jonathan; and 10 great-grandchildren.
