By HDN Staff
CHINOOK John Michael Hamilton, 70, beloved husband of Dorris Minnie (Friede) Hamilton, passed away following heart surgery at a Missoula hospital.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday in the Chinook High School Lloyd Sweet Auditorium. He will be laid to rest at Kuper Memorial Cemetery.
He was born Dec. 6, 1930, in Chinook to Ivan Roscoe Hamilton and Mabel Elizabeth (Wilson) Hamilton. The youngest of seven children, he grew up on the family farm north of Chinook. When his father died in 1943, John and his mother moved into Chinook. He graduated from Chinook High School in 1949 and in 1950 he found his lifelong love of 51 years, Dorris, with whom he joined in marriage on Nov. 3. They reaffirmed their vows at the LDS Cardston Temple, Alberta, Canada, on Feb. 22, 1992.
In 1948, John joined the Montana Army National Guard. He served in numerous capacities throughout the state before retiring as chief warrant officer 3 with 35 years of service. In 1952, he took a full-time position with the National Guard in Chinook and retired as shop chief in 1983. Prior to starting his career with the National Guard, John held a number of different jobs to support his new family. He delivered gas to the surrounding area for H. Earl Clack's Station, made ice cream at the Fountain, worked at Neil Young Flooring, at Ray Childree Upholstery, as a janitor at the old junior high and later with Oliver "Spike" Bruss at the high school. he also served on the ambulance crew and worked for his brother Lyle's farming operation near Hogeland.
In 1961, John and Dorris moved from Chinook to an east valley farm and actively supported the Zurich and surrounding community. In 1969, they sold the farm and moved to their present home west of Chinook. In 1980, John started operating oil wells on a contract basis in the Rabbit Hills Field north of Chinook until 1995. He continued assisting his son, Darin, part time until his passing.
John's life was full and filled with the kindness and love of those who touched it. He loved helping and sharing his life with his family and friends, and was an active member of the LDS Church. He was also a member of the Blue Horizon Chapter of the Good Sams Club and enjoyed camping. Other interests included actively participating in the area's hunting and fishing opportunities, constructing stonework posts and signs, archery, the Flying 6 Club, and bowling in his younger days. He was known for playing a good hand of cards.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Carrie B. Kottke, Cornelia B. Ivey, Nelda L. Gailbraith, Margaret M. Walker; brothers, Lyle N. and Lloyd W. Hamilton.
Survivors include his wife, Dorris Hamilton; children, Ivan H. and Sharon Hamilton of Houston, Texas, Claude M. and Pamela Hamilton of Evanston, Wyo., Alan D. Hamilton of Culbertson, Darlynn L. Wright of Olympia, Wash., Mark F. and Holly Hamilton of Alberton, Darin S. and Elaine Hamilton of Chinook; sister-in-law, Pearl (Miller) Hamilton; 11 grandchildren; nieces, nephews and numerous friends.
Memorials may be made to the Chinook Senior Citizens Center, Chinook Ambulance Service, or Blaine County Wildlife Museum.
Arrangements are by Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook.
