Rev. Donald E. Chamberlain, 83, of Butler, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, after a brief illness. Born April 10, 1942, to the late C. Edward and Rev. Dorothy Chamberlain, Donald grew up a small-town boy who would go on to touch countless lives through his service and faithfulness to the Lord.
Don met his forever sweetheart at Jefferson High School and they married in 1960. He then began his studies at Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Massachusetts where he felt called to pastoral ministry. That calling led the family to Oklahoma and Bethany Nazarene College where Don became an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene.
Rev. Chamberlain began his ministry in Dover, Oklahoma with Leona by his side as church pianist. They returned to Pennsylvania where Don served several Nazarene churches in the Pittsburgh District including Boswell, North Hills, and Franklin. He retired to Butler where he continued to serve as an interim and on-call minister to area churches.
Known lovingly by his wife as ‘mister fix-it-man’, Don enjoyed tinkering in the garage, rescuing, repairing, and restoring anything that was broken. In retirement, he enjoyed reading, current events, and a good old western flick.
Don is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Leona (Ritchey) Chamberlain, his sister, Jan (Dave) Cole, and his daughters Helen McMahon and Donna (James) Zimmerman.
To many, he was Reverend Chamberlain, but to his grandchildren – DJ (Summer) McMahon, John McMahon, Brittany Miller, Cameron (Rachel) Miller, Lauren Zimmerman, Allison (Chas) Huckestein, and Nathan (Kayla) Zimmerman – He was simply “Pop Pop”, a title he cherished most. To his many loving nieces and nephews, he was Uncle Don. He was blessed with nine great-grandchildren and a large extended family who will forever remember and miss him.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his infant grandson, Brandon Miller.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to Butler Memorial Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospice House of Wexford, and to countless friends and church family who have provided prayer, expressions of love, and a kindness that will not be forgotten.
All arrangements were made through SPENCER D. GEIBEL FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, 140 NEW CASTLE RD. BUTLER, PA 16001. WWW.SPENCERDGEIBEL.COM. A Celebration of Life will take place at Butler First Church of the Nazarene, 4410 Oakdale Rd, Meridian, PA 16001. at a date to be determined.