Lawrence A Hamilton Obituary (1932 - 2019)

Lawrence Alfred "Larry" Hamilton, 87 of Decatur, IL passed away at 8:47 a.m., Wednesday, November 20, 2019, in St. Mary's Hospital, Decatur. A service to celebrate Larry's life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 23, 2019, at Grace United Methodist Church, 901 N. Main Street, Decatur, IL. The family will receive friends for visitation on Friday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home, Mt. Zion, IL. Masonic Rites will take place at 7:00 p.m., Friday evening at the funeral home, following visitation. Burial will be in Croninger Cemetery Cisco, IL with military honors provided by the Macon County Honor Guard and the US Air Force Honors Team. Memorials may be made in Larry's memory to Grace United Methodist Church or Gideons International. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com. Larry was born January 3, 1932, in the Macon County Hospital, Decatur, IL the son of William Glen and Hilda (Gardner) Hamilton. He attended Decatur High School and in 1949 enlisted in the US Air Force serving four years during the Korean War. Following his enlistment, he went on to serve three more years in the Air Force reserves and attended Millikin University. Larry had farmed, and worked for Armour Pharmaceutical Company in Kankakee, IL and for Holmes Serum Company in Springfield, IL. He was a stock broker with Tabor in Decatur and A.G. Edwards in Champaign, IL. He was an investor in farms and timber land. After retiring he and his wife traveled extensively. Larry formerly served as the Mayor of Monticello, IL. He was a life member of the Masonic Lodge #58 Monticello, IL, a 32nd degree Mason having attended the Springfield Consistory and was a Jester(Count 20) and Legion of Honor Drill Team with the ANSAR Shriners Springfield, IL. He was a member of the American Legion. Larry had obtained his private pilot's license and enjoyed flying. He was a member of the Country Club of Decatur as well as a member of Sugar Mill Country Club in New Smyrna Beach, FL. Larry was an active member of Grace United Methodist Church and a life member of Gideon's International. Larry married Shirley Beth Pattengill on December 10, 1955 in Cisco, IL. Surviving are his wife: Shirley of Decatur, IL; daughter: Angela Stoerger (Louis) of Cisco, IL; sons: William M. "Morey" Hamilton (Julee) of Champaign, IL and Todd Hamilton (Dianne) of Angola, IN; brother: Roger Hamilton (Susan) of Oakville, Ontario, CA; grandchildren: Lauren Caruso (Dean) of New York City, NY, Garrett Stoerger (Tegan) of Champaign, IL, William Stoerger (Alysia) of Cisco, IL, Natalie Hall (Andrew) of Urbana, IL, Matthew Hamilton (Allison) of Nashville, TN, and Michael Hamilton (Lindsey) of Columbus, OH; great-grandchildren: Greyson, Julia, August, Nora, and Joanna. Two nieces and one nephew also survive. Larry was preceded in death by his parents.