H. Dean Hamilton, 87, of Edwardsburg

Published 1:44 pm Sunday, June 23, 2013

Born: July 1, 1925

Died:  June 22, 2013 

H. Dean Hamilton, 87

EDWARDSBURG – H. Dean Hamilton, 87, of Edwardsburg, passed to his rest on June 22, 2013, at the Cass County Medical Care Facility. He was born July 1, 1925, in South Bend, Ind., the son of Horace Miller Hamilton and Bessie Laura (Perry) Hamilton.

On June 17, 1949, in Mishawaka, Ind., Dean married the former Margaret Christine Olson, who survives. He is also survived by their children,Diana (Michael) Malone, of Edwardsburg, Gail (Dennis) Rossow, of Lake Zurich, Ill., Laury Barella, of Edwardsburg, and Gary (Lisa) Hamilton of Osceola, Ind.

There are six grandchildren, Sean Malone, of Ann Arbor, Jackie Barella, of Elkhart, Ind., David Rossow, of Lake Zurich, Kenneth Rossow, of Lake Zurich, Danielle Hamilton, of Elkhart, and Steven Marfin, of Goshen. There are also nine great-grandchildren.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents and by two sisters, Vera (William) Stiffler and Winifred (Robert) Follmer.

Dean was raised on a farm, where his love of gardening was cultivated, sweet corn

being his specialty. The bounty of his garden was shared by many friends and family members. He was an avid fisherman, musician, animal lover (especially cats) and a proud ex-Marine. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserve. After serving in the military and working at the Studebaker factory in South Bend, Dean found his niche as a salesman. He first sold mobile homes then sold automobiles.

Dean was an 11-year member of the New Horizons Band of Elkhart, playing first chair trombone and occasionally baritone.

He was the longest-serving member of  American Legion Post 365 in Edwardsburg and a past commander. He was also a member and past Worshipful Master of the Edwardsburg St. Peter’s Masonic Lodge, the NRA and the Elkhart Moose Lodge.

Dean will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Family and friends may gather for a time of visitation on Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Edwardsburg Presbyterian Church, 68961 Lake St., Edwardsburg. At 7 p.m. a candlelight Masonic service will take place by the Edwardsburg St. Peter’s Masonic Lodge. The Service of Remembrance will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the church with the Rev. Scott Scheel, pastor of the church, officiating. There will be an hour of visitation before the service. Burial will be at the Edwardsburg Cemetery.

Graveside military rites will take place at the cemetery by the U.S. Marine Honor Guard, playing “Taps” and folding the U.S. flag.

Memorial donations may be made to the Edwardsburg Presbyterian Church, 68961 Lake St.  P.O. Box 4, Edwardsburg, MI 49112-0004 or to any local animal shelter.

Arrangements are by the Paul E. Mayhew Funeral Home, 26863 W. Main St., Edwardsburg.