Ralph Marshall Hamilton's Obituary
Ralph Hamilton, age 88 of Centerville died Saturday morning December 20, 2008 at the Beacon Harbor Rehab center in Rockwall, Texas.
Ralph was born October 23, 1920, the son of Frank and Lydia (Anderson) Hamilton in Griffin Saskatchewan, Canada. He married Merilou White on June 2, 1945 in Des Moines, Iowa. After graduating from high school, Ralph worked for Morell's Meat Packing Plant in Ottumwa, Iowa for a few years. He then entered the agricultural field where he farmed for the next forty five years. Ralph began his farming career in Appanoose County in 1956. He farmed there until the early to mid 1980s, when Ralph and Merilou made the decision to move to Seymour, Iowa. Ralph farmed in Wayne County until his retirement in 2001.
Throughout his lifetime Ralph belong to numerous organizations, including Farm Bureau, Saddle Club, and Hereford Association. Ralph was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Centerville, where he served as a youth leader, a deacon, and was on the church board. Later in life, Ralph became a member of the Dale Church where he served as a deacon and was active on Dale's Church Board.
Ralph's favorite hobby was watching the cattle auctions on the RFD channel on television. He enjoyed playing games, including checkers, dominos, and especially word search puzzles. Ralph enjoyed animals, especially his ability to ""break"" horses. During the summertime, he enjoyed spending time outside mowing.
Ralph is survived by his wife Merilou Hamilton of Centerville, Iowa; five children, Zelda (Tom) Starr of Centerville, Wayne (Sandy) Hamilton of Centerville, Willis Hamilton of Osceola, Iowa, Zelma (Jerry) Fry of Sunnyvale, Texas, and Zoann Willis of Rockwall, Texas; eleven grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; and a brother Percy Hamilton of Rockford, Illinois.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; a brother Francis Hamilton; and three sisters, Helen Brewer, June Lane, and Joyce Onnen.
Funeral services will be held 11 AM, Saturday, December 27, 2008 at the Dale Church north of Centerville, off Highway 5, with Pastor Gerald Campbell officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Ararat Cemetery in Centerville. A visitation will be held Friday at the Lange Funeral Home with the family present from 3-6 PM. A memorial has been established to the Mt. Ararat Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to the Lange Funeral Home, 1900 S. 18th St., Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be left online at www.thomaslangefuneralhome.com.
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