Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Mike Hamilton
Aug 2nd, 1948 - Dec 22nd, 2022Michael E. Hamilton Sr., age 74, of Flora, Illinois, passed away Thursday, December 22, 2022, at his home.
He was born August 2, 1948, in Flora, the son of Earl E. and Mildred (Neff) Hamilton.
Mike joined the U.S. Army at age 19 and served from 1967-69, including a deployment in Vietnam. He later served in the Air Force and the National Guard. He was hired during the opening of the Centralia Correctional Center and went on to retire after a career as a correctional officer. He also worked for Independent Builders and Jeff’s Auto, and held a longtime interest in cars and motorcycles. He was a talented craftsman, and enjoyed building decks and projects, small log-cabins, creating string art, working on puzzles, and collecting trains. Mike was of the Christian faith.
He is survived by a son: Michael E. Hamilton Jr. of Lugoff, South Carolina; a daughter: Amber (Kevin) Nix of Salem; a stepdaughter: Tammy (Scott) Meyer of Mt. Vernon; 4 grandchildren: Noah Nix, Christian Hamilton, Chelsi Hamilton, and Aracely Meyer; 2 great-grandchildren: Gus and Ava; siblings: Ava Siterlet of Springfield, Trudy (David) Koontz of Flora, Greg (Deanna) Hamilton of Flora, and Kim (Shari) Hamilton of Flora; special friend: Beverly Hamilton of Salem; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A funeral ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. Interment with military funeral honors will follow in Elmwood Cemetery, Flora. Visitation will be 6 until 8 p.m. Monday evening at the funeral home. The preferred form of remembrance in lieu of flowers are donations to the Clay County Cancer Crusaders, and these will be accepted through the funeral home. To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com