Gary Hamilton

Gary W. Hamilton, 76, of Quincy, (formerly of Clayton) died at 7:05 a.m. Thursday, October 28, 2021, at his home.

Born February 27, 1945, in Quincy, Gary was a son of Wayne E. Hamilton and Alice Jean Lummis Vollbracht. He married Cheryl J. Thompson on February 10, 1968, at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church. She survives.

Gary attended Maplewood Grade School in Camp Point and was a 1963 graduate of Central High School. He continued his schooling at Culver Stockton College and Southern Illinois University, Carbondale.  He graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago in 1966. After completing his education, Gary served his apprenticeship with the Donnellan Funeral Home in Chicago returning to Adams County in 1968.

In 1970, Gary and Cheryl purchased Hendricks Funeral Home in Clayton and later, in December 1979, acquired the Lummis Funeral Home in Camp Point.   Gary and Cheryl sold the funeral homes to their nephew Ben in 2007.  Gary continued to assist on a part-time basis.

Gary served as Deputy Adams County Coroner from 1968 until 1997.  In 1997, he assumed the office of Adams County Coroner until his retirement in 2011.

Gary was actively involved in his community and was a member of the Clayton Federated Church, Clayton Lions Club, Clayton Volunteer Fire Department, Elks Lodge, Benjamin Masonic Lodge #297 (May 1977), Quincy Consistory, Quincy High Twelve Club, and the Ansar Shrine. He formerly served on the committee to establish the Adams County Ambulance Service, and was an EMT for many years. Gary was a member of the Illinois Funeral Directors Association and received recognition for being an Illinois Licensed Funeral Director for 50 years, a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, served as chairman of the board of the Adams County Housing Authority, Vice Chairman of the Adams County Republican Central Committee, and was a Clayton Precinct Committeeman for many years, as well as, District Director. Gary was a member of the Illinois Coroner's and Medical Examiner's Association, the Illinois Funeral Directors Disaster Response Team,  and served on the North Adams Bank Board of Directors.

In what little free time remained, Gary spent wood working, hunting, traveling, and boating with family and friends. He cherished the time he spent with his family making memories, but his greatest joys came from the time he spent with his grandson, Logan.  According to Gary, "No one will ever be as entertained by us as us."

Surviving, in addition to his wife, are three daughters, Stacia Munroe and her husband Tom of Rochester, Debra Carstens and her husband Cris of Quincy, and Kristen Hamilton of Cedar Rapids, IA.; his grandson, Logan Hamilton Munroe of Rochester; his sister, Nancy Kelly and her husband Don of Quincy; two brothers, Tom Hamilton and his wife Pam of Springfield, and Jack Hamilton and his wife Chris of Augusta; a sister in law, Shirley Longlett and her husband John of Quincy; a brother in law, Jim Thompson and his wife Debbie of Lincoln; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepfather, R.J Vollbracht; his parents-in-law, Walter and Nureta Thompson; two brothers-in-law, Sam Thompson and Bill Dinkheller; and two sisters-in-law, Katie Thompson and Mary Dinkheller.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. at the Camp Point United Methodist Church by Rev. Sheri Renner. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Camp Point.

Visitation will be held Monday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Camp Point United Methodist Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Brian and Mandy Hamilton for Brody Hamilton #BrodyStrong.

Online condolences may be left at www.hamiltonfuneralhomes.net.

The Hamilton Funeral Home in Clayton is handling the arrangements.