Robert F. Hamilton

Robert (Bob) Hamilton Age 89, a longtime Riga resident, passed away May 25, 2011 at Ebeid Hospice Residence in Sylvania, OH. He was born in Fairmont, WV, to Ralph and Daisy (Clabby) Hamilton. A graduate of Scott High School in Toledo, OH, he proudly served his country from 1942-1945 as an Army Ranger with Merrill’s Marauders in India, Burma, and China. In 1946 Bob married Joan Miller in a double wedding ceremony in which her sister Mary and J.L. Acheson were also married. In l951 Bob and Joan moved to Riga where they raised four daughters. Known as an accomplished sign painter, he was sign and print shop manager for Food Town Supermarkets from 1956-1970 and then held the same position for Lane’s Drug Stores (later People’s Drug Stores) from 1970-1987. He also operated his own business from home where he specialized in truck lettering, paper signs, and computerized signs. In his spare time, Bob loved to go quail and pheasant hunting with his brother-in-law and nephews, the Welches. From 1994-1995 he served as post commander for VFW Post 10912 in Blissfield. In 2006 Bob and Joan visited the Ranger Memorial, a tribute to the U.S. Army Rangers, at Fort Benning, GA, where Bob’s name is engraved on the “Ranger Walk” a stone walkway leading to the Ranger Monument. He is survived by his wife Joan. Daughters: Margaret (Patrick) Stratton, Susan (Thomas) Chidester, Lynn (Mark) Vandenbusche, and Gail (Timothy) Spotts. Grandchildren: Lt. Col. Todd (Carolyn) Stratton; Brian (Lori) Stratton; Laura (Gabriel) Kuschel; Brooke and Morgan Chidester; Chelsea, Luke and Wade Vandenbusche; Tyler and Clint Spotts. Great- grandchildren: Marisa, Nadia, Sophia and Jack Stratton; Daphney, Tiffany and Peter Kuschel. Sisters: Dorothy Welch and Mary (James) Whitten. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Nathan Chidester. Funeral Mass for Bob will be held on Friday, May 27, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. at Light of Christ St. Peter’s Church in Blissfield with Father Jack Loughran presiding. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery. Friends may visit the family at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel on Friday prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. Those wishing to make a contribution in Bob’s memory may direct them to Ebied Hospice Residence or the VFW Post 10912. You may also sign the register book or send condolences at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com

Robert F. Hamilton

October 25, 1921 - May 25, 2011