John Paul Hamilton

John Paul Hamilton, age 56 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 6:14 p.m. on Sunday, April 28, 2019 surrounded by his brothers at Spectrum Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan following a brief illness.

He was born on November 28, 1962 in Watervliet, Michigan to Richard and Dorothy (Henry) Hamilton.  He attended Canton, Illinois schools, and returned to Michigan in 1982.  He was employed for many years in the ambulance and R.V. manufacturing industry in Elkhart, Indiana.

John enjoyed fishing on the Saint Joseph River in Niles and flower gardening with a special interest in roses.  He also enjoyed cooking, was well-known for his pork steaks, but personally enjoyed snack cakes washed-down with root beer.  Above all, he is remembered as a free spirit with a soft and tender heart who cared deeply for his family.

He was preceded in death by his father, Richard Hamilton in 1975, his sister, Charlotte Hamilton and niece, Teresa Hamilton who tragically died together in a motor vehicle accident in 1981, a brother, William “Ray” Hamilton in 2006, sisters Paula Rodriquez in 2016, and Anna Eckley in 2017, and another niece, Heather in 2016.

John is survived by his mother, Dorothy of Canton; sisters, Patricia Brown and Margaret (& Dan) Smith, both of Canton; brothers Richard “Budd” Hamilton and Donald Hamilton, both of Canton, Charles “Chuck” Hamilton of Niles, James Hamilton of Stevensville, Michigan, Ronald Hamilton of Benton Harbor, Michigan; and several nieces and nephews.

The family of John Paul Hamilton will gather privately to share some stories and honor his life, and intend to do so at one of his favorite fishing holes.  Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles