Gene passed away Sunday, November 24, 2013 at Bickford Cottages in Omaha, NE.

Memorials in lieu of flowers may be directed to the family to benefit the Shenandoah Historical Society Museum.

Harold Eugene Chambers was born on October 26, 1924 in rural Shenandoah, the son of Athol and Velda Haskett Chambers. Eugene passed away November 24th, 2013 in Omaha.

Eugene lived his entire life in the Shenandoah area and attended the Shenandoah schools; graduating from high school in 1942. He did not need to attend college as he began his banking career at the City National Bank in 1944. He retired from the bank in 1988 after 44 years as a bookkeeper, teller and vice president making real estate loans and in charge of operations and personnel. He was also executive secretary of the Home Building and Loan Association from 1956 to 1972 making many local real estate loans.

In past years Gene was very active in the First Baptist Church in the 1960's and 70's. Eugene was financial secretary of the church for many of those years and then church treasurer for some years after that. He and his wife led the BYF group of young people for some time too. He was a member of the Shenandoah Jaycees and president of the Southwest Iowa Bankers Association in the early 1970's. He served on the board of the Greater Shenandoah Historical Society for 12 years after retiring from the bank and was treasurer of the society for five of those years.

Eugene married the love of his life, Talma Berniece Bennett, on February 8, 1946. To this union three children, Larry, Greg, and Becky were born. They enjoyed the life long dream of designing and building their home where Eugene served as general contractor. They also loved to travel and took many trips and tours after his retirement. He lost Talma in the year 2000 after 54 years together.

In 1965 the Chambers family had the honor of hosting an exchange student, Wolfgang Schmidt, from Germany. This began a life long relationship as Wolfgang was able to return for many visits and Eugene traveled to Germany in September 2000.

At home Gene was famous for making fudge and peanut brittle at Christmas time. Friends always started reminding him about the peanut brittle long before Christmas. He also enjoyed a daily visit to the Donut Stop and chatting with his friends each morning. Eugene frequently attended local auctions and sales and made an occasional trip to the casinos.

In recent times, he was a co-trustee in the Ivan and Caroline Wilson Memorial Trust Fund which was set up for the perpetual benefit of the residents of Shenandoah. He was also on the board of trustees of the Merry Louise Gidley Scholarship Fund.

In the last months Eugene was honored with several get-togethers when he celebrated his 89th birthday. He was able to spend time with the majority of his family, including Wolfgang, where he shared his wish for each of them to "Be Happy".

Eugene's oldest son, Larry Gene Chambers, was killed in an auto accident December 22, 2009. His only sister, Inamae Clipston, preceded him in 2009.

Eugene is survived by daughter-in-law Kim of Winder, GA; grandchildren: Kim Linh Hanna and husband, Mitch of Winder, GA and great grandchildren: Kailinh and Keenan Hanna, My Lien Collins and husband, Joe of Mission Viejo, CA; son, Greg and wife, Cindy of St. Joseph, MO; grandchildren: Cori Salmons and husband, Nick of St. Joseph, MO and great grandchildren: Jackson and Joshua Salmons; Matthew Chambers of St. Joseph, MO and Michelle Chambers of Ft. Collins, CO; daughter, Rebecca Bayne and husband, Jason of Omaha, NE; grandchildren: Collin and Tim Bayne; Wolfgang Schmidt and wife, Regina of Cologne, Germany and nieces Louise Clabaugh of Dolliver, IA, Beverly Hulbert of Slater, IA, Shirley Kemna of Mounds View, MN and Susie O'Brien of Hayden, ID.