Martha A. Hamilton

Martha A. Hamilton, 94, of Dowagiac, passed from this earth on January 4, 2020 at Spectrum Health Lakeland Hospital in Niles. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, January 10, 2020, at Clark Chapel, 405 Center St. Dowagiac, with Rev. Melanie Wallace of Dowagiac Seventh-day Adventist Church officiating. Burial will follow at a later date at Hamilton Cemetery in Decatur. Friends may visit with the family Thursday from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions in Martha’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Dowagiac VFW Post #1855. Those wishing to sign Martha’s Memory Book online may do so at www.clarkch.com. Martha was born April 8, 1925 in Dowagiac, the seventh daughter of Joshua C. & Arie Christina (Pecher) Leach. She graduated from Watervliet High School, Class of 1943, and on August 5 she was married to Lyle H. Hamilton in Watervliet. A very energetic lady, Martha liked to stay busy. She worked as a waitress at the Gas Light, The Dowagiac Elks, and Indian Lake Golf Course. Martha was a member of the VFW Auxiliary where she served as both local and district president, the Dowagiac Moose Lodge, Elks Lodge and the Eagles. In her free time, Martha enjoyed bowling, playing pitch at the Moose, crocheting afghans, going to the casino with her daughters, and going out for breakfast whenever she was asked. She also enjoyed baking pies, pumpkin rolls and cookies. While wintering in Zephyr Hills, FL, she and Lyle enjoyed making clocks. After Lyle’s passing, Martha took up golf, playing whenever she could. Left to cherish her memories are daughters-Carole (George) Hatter of Dowagiac, Sharon (Ken) Flowers, Bonnie Stanczyk of Niles; two sons-John Hamilton and Gary (Orlean) Hamilton, both of Dowagiac; sixteen grandchildren-Kevin (Danyelle) Hatter, Renee (Richard) Binns, Ken (Misty) Flowers, II, Phyllis Sarabyn, Andrew Hatter, Michael (Suzann) Flowers, Rob Flowers, Brian (Jamie) Stanczyk, Brenda (Sherman) Smith, Britteney Stanczyk, Barbara Stanczyk, Patrick (Geraldine) Hamilton, Andrew Hamilton, Catherine Hamilton, John A. Hamilton & Treavor (Courtney) Caniff; eightteen great-grandchildren-Jakob, Emily, Marcy, Austin, Lindsay, Michael, Marcus, Kiana, Wyatt, Nolan, LaMond, Morgan & Oliviya, Kamdyn, Logan, Scarlett, Arianna, & Joshua; three great-great-grandchildren-Ryatt, Zy’aire & Ka’mya, and numerous nieces & nephews. Martha was preceded in death by her husband Lyle, her parents, her daughter-in-law Mary Hamilton, two grandchildren-Brandon Stanczyk & Andrea Nicole Hamilton, six sisters-Neva Brown, Doris Howe, Wanda Downey, Beryl White, Mildred Bailey & Lillian Leach, and her brother Roger Leach.