Thomas "Nat" Nathaniel Chambers Sr.

Thomas “Nat” Nathaniel Chambers Sr., 87, of Chillicothe, passed away at 2:40am on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at Unity Point Hospice – Methodist, Peoria, IL. Nat was born June 2, 1929, in Chattanooga, TN, to Reverend Luther and Marie Snodderly Chambers. He married Reba Anderson on August 16, 1947, in Oak Ridge TN. Nat is survived by daughter Angela Darlene Hoffman of Peoria, son Tom (Donna) Chambers Jr. of Groveland, daughter Deb (Jim) Golden of Peoria, Pat Guiliani of Oro Valley, AZ., and a very special companion, Jean Grant of Washington. Grandchildren, Bill (Denise) Hoffman) of Pekin, Rick (Jill) Hoffman of Peoria, Dannie (Tiffany) of Washburn, Tom Chambers III. (Holly Kucharski) of Peoria, Cynthia (Matt) Warner of East Peoria, Tim Pierantoni of Washington. Great grandchildren Nathan Hoffman, Clay Hoffman, Dakota and Nocona Daniels, Dawson and Delaney Hoffman, Quenton Chambers, Maggie Warner, Tawneey, Triniteey, & Toreey Hoffman. Nat was preceded in death by his parents, wife Reba Chambers, sister, Annie Joyce Snedden, and grandson, Robert Hoffman. His Mom and sisters referred to him as “Bubba”. He was born with a natural talent for music and entertaining. By age 13, with sisters, Joyce and Patricia, the trio sang in beautiful harmony while sitting in the old family Plymouth. Reverend Luther had a radio broadcast and would invite them to sing on his program. Bubba looked out for his sisters at all times and this personality trait remained with him throughout his life. Nat met Reba in grade school, married at age 18 and shared over 60 years of marriage. Nat’s career began as a soda jerk in Tennessee, moving on to TVA Nuclear Plant and then to Illinois in 1955 to work at Caterpillar Inc. He left Caterpillar for a short time during a downturn and worked at Rex Radiator. Then, he became co-own of a Studebaker dealership in Peoria. Eventually, he returned to Caterpillar and retired in 1992. Throughout his entire life, he was the leader of several country bands, the most recent being “Nat Chambers and the Melody Wheels”. Entertaining came easy to Nat, in addition to his awesome voice, he was a ventriloquist, with his side kick Lollypop. They performed for various benefits for children. Nat loved gospel music and performed with his wife and sisters at many Christian gatherings and churches. Family was very important to Nat. Large family picnics, camping trips and family reunions on the Anderson side filled his summers in Illinois and Tennessee. Christmas was a great family holiday, not because of gifts, but because of the family gathering. Dad made his delicious ambrosia to go along with Reba’s chocolate cake and other holiday treats. When Reba passed, Nat was an empty shell. That is, until he was reacquainted with Jean Grant, who had lost her husband Leo. Jean and her husband had followed dad’s band for years before Leo passed away. Nat and Jean reconnected and began spending time together, for lunch dates, family dinners, working jigsaw puzzles in her beautiful sunroom and reminiscing about the past. When Jean walked into the room or called Dad on the phone, Nat would light up like a teenager on his first date. Nat’s family will be forever grateful to Jean and her family, for their love and for giving his life meaning the past eight years. A graveside service will be at 10 am Saturday, November 5, 2016 at Chillicothe City Cemetery in Chillicothe. Pastor Jeff Browning will officiate. A memorial visitation will be from 5-7 pm Friday, November 4, 2016 at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington. Memorials can be made to Washington Christian Village 1201 Newcastle Rd, Washington IL 61571 or Unity Point Hospice, 221 NE Glen Oak Ave, Peoria, IL 61636.

Thomas "Nat" Nathaniel Chambers Sr.

June 2, 1929 - November 1, 2016