Ellard Dale Chamberlain was born July 15, 1929 in Clontarf, Minnesota, the son of Ellard and Alice (Johnson) Chamberlain, Sr. He grew up in Clontarf and attended Clontarf Elementary School and graduated from Benson High School with the Class of 1947. Ellard served his country in the Korean Conflict. In 1949, Ellard and his father started Chamberlain Oil Company. On June 26, 1954, Ellard was united in marriage to Mary Lou Manney at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Murdock. They lived in Clontarf and together celebrated 56 years of marriage. The couple was blessed with five children. Ellard was a member of the VFW, the American Legion, and the Knights of Columbus. He served on the Clontarf City Council, the Clontarf Development Corporation, the Clontarf Fire Department and was a past member of the Board of Directors of the Northwest Petroleum Association. Ellard enjoyed playing cards, having coffee with his friends at the local café and spending time with his family and grandchildren. He was called from this life on Monday, April 11, 2011 at his home. He attained the age of 81 years, 8 months and 26 days. He is survived by his wife Mary of Clontarf; his children: Tony (Rose Ann) Chamberlain of St. Cloud, Laura (Jim) Rentz of Morris, Steve (Marcy) Chamberlain of Minneapolis, John (Carrie) Chamberlain of Clontarf, and Bill (Deb) Chamberlain of St. Cloud; 12 grandchildren: Craig and David Chamberlain, Mary and Andrew Rentz, Dan, Katie and Maggie Chamberlain, Chris (Meriah), Mike and Tom Chamberlain, and Nate and Emily Chamberlain; three sisters: Nadine Marsnik of Crystal, Molly Hanson of Maple Grove and Deann (David) Johnson of Clontarf; sister-in-law Phyllis Curley of Worthington; and other relatives and friends. Preceding him in death were his parents, Ellard (Pike) and Alice Chamberlain; brothers-in-law: George Marsnik, DuWayne Hanson, Fred Byrne, Lawrence Curley and sister-in-law, Helen Byrne.
