Marion Darlene Hamilton, age 85, of Flora, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.
She was born September 5, 1937, in Flora, the daughter of Carl Benjamin and Edna Pearl (Greenwood) Hoffman. She was united in marriage to Gary L. Hamilton on June 19, 1954, at First Christian Church in Flora and together they shared 60 wedding anniversaries until his death December 27, 2014.
Darlene worked as the school librarian at McKinley Elementary School in Cañon City, Colorado, for 20 years. She taught Sunday School for over 40 years, teaching at First Christian Church in Flora and also Grandview Christian Church in Cañon City. Darlene had been a Girl Scout Brownie troop leader, a volunteer for the hospital auxiliary, and in 1968, she was proudly crowned mother of the year at First Christian Church. She enjoyed crocheting, painting, baking, camping, tennis, visiting friends, and time spent laughing and playing with her children and grandchildren.
She is survived by her children: Mark (Beth) Hamilton of Cañon City, Colorado, Pam (Scott) Middleton of Craig, Colorado, and Michelle (Mark) Burch of Fairfield; 9 grandchildren: Joel (Jessie) Hamilton of Cañon City, Colorado, Jordan (Mark) Anderson of Craig, Colorado, Jillian (Jason) Schneider of Two Harbors, Minnesota, Daniel Hamilton of Cañon City, Colorado, Elise (Ryan) McBride of Cañon City, Colorado, Caleb Welshans of Happy Valley, Oregon, Catlin (Jason) Donato of Webb City,
Missouri, Shelby (Josh) Seaton of Salem, and Mackenzie Welshans of Fairfield; 29 great-grandchildren; a brother: Danny Hoffman; and numerous precious nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; an infant brother: Carl Hoffman Jr.; a brother: Gary Hoffman; a sister: Patricia (Joe) Bertino; and a sister-in-law: Barb Hoffman.
A Celebration of Darlene’s Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at First Christian Church in Flora with Scott Middleton leading the family’s participation in the service. A private interment in Floral Garden of Memories cemetery will take place at a later date. Arrangements are by Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. Memorial donations are suggested to Alba Ministries, and these will be accepted through the funeral home. To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com
“Jesus was our Lord and Savior, and mom was our inspiration.” Mark, Pam, & Michelle
