Benjamin Harrison Chamberlain

Benjamin Harrison Chamberlain, age 46, passed away on Sunday, October 31, 2021, at home in Gladwin, MI surrounded by family and friends.

Ben was born on October 8, 1975, in Mt. Pleasant, MI to Lynn Chamberlain and Jane (Ingalls) Chamberlain and raised in in Ogemaw County. He graduated from Ogemaw Heights High School in 1993 and attended the University of Michigan, majoring in Art. 

Ben began creating art at young age and continued making work until his untimely death. His love of art led him to Pewabic Pottery in Detroit where he worked for seven years. There he met his loving wife, Elizabeth Armstrong. They moved together to Louisville, Kentucky in 2007 to explore the art community and Elizabeth took a on a new career teaching elementary school. On June 11, 2012, they married at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, KY.

Ben and Elizabeth returned to Michigan in 2012 where they found a beautiful home and built a ceramics studio. Ben fulfilled a lifelong dream of building a wood-fired ceramics kiln at his home with the help of his close friends and his artist community in 2019. Ben knew at this time that he was fighting cancer and intended to fire the kiln at home as long as possible. Amazingly, his final firing was 2 weeks prior to his death, during which he was surrounded by his closest friends and family.

Ben’s artistic interests expanded to the kitchen where he became a self-taught culinary genius. He particularly enjoyed translating traditional dishes into gourmet experiences using proteins and vegetables that were local to Michigan. Examples of his culinary prowess included wild turkey cordon bleu, elk pastrami prepared in a self-built smoker, and venison burgers with homemade blackberry reduction. Ben was an avid hunter, finally realizing his goal of hunting an elk in 2020. Additionally, he enjoyed brewing his own beer, including brewing and bottling a special beer for a friend’s wedding.

Ben is survived by his loving wife, Elizabeth Ann Chamberlain of West Branch; mother and stepdad, Jane and Randy Short of Clear Lake; sister, Liz (Adam) Monk of Roscommon; stepbrothers, Jeremy (Linda) Short of Clyde, Jason (Debby) Short of Cedar Springs, and Randy Short Jr. of Lupton, and many nieces and nephews. 

Ben is preceded in death by his father.

The family will hold a private memorial on Saturday, November 13, 2021.  

A celebration of Ben's life for all to attend and honor him will take place on June 25, 2022.

Memorial contributions can be made to the family. 

Arrangements were handled by Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch.  Online condolences can be shared at www.steuernolmclaren.com