White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

INDEPENDENCE - Eunice Eileen Hamilton, 89 years old, of Independence, IA, died of natural causes Thursday, February 6, 2025, at Lexington Estate in Independence, IA.

Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m. – Monday, February 10, 2025, at the First United Methodist Church, Independence, with Pastor Elizabeth Bell officiating. Burial will follow at Wilson Cemetery in Independence.

Visitation will be 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Sunday, February 9th at White Funeral Home, Independence, and also for an hour before services, Monday, at the church.

Eunice was born November 1, 1935, in rural Buchanan County, IA, the daughter of George Steinmetz O’Brian and Ruth Esther (Blad) O’Brian. She attended school in Independence and graduated high school as Valedictorian of the class of 1954. On November 28, 1954, she was united in marriage to Gilbert Dean “Cricket” Hamilton at the First United Methodist Church in Rowley, IA. They raised their family on the farm south of Independence until 1978 - at which time they moved into town to enjoy their home which was built by Gilbert and their sons. Eunice was a legal secretary at the law office of Craig, Wilson, and Flickinger for 37 years. She took great pride in her job and was very proficient at what she did. Eunice was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church in Independence and an active member of the United Methodist Women’s organization. She was a member of the Buchanan County Health Center Auxiliary, Silver Sneakers, Red Hat Society, Chautauqua Book Club and several 500 and Bridge card clubs.

Eunice was an avid reader, and she enjoyed writing poetry. She loved to cook and bake for her friends and family, and her brownies were a staple of many church and community functions. Above all else, family was important to Eunice. She loved having everyone together, enjoying each other. She will always be remembered for her contagious laugh, which is a trait she passed down to her family.

Eunice is survived by her six children, Steven Hamilton of Sandy, Utah, Loren Hamilton of Independence, IA, Daniel (Barbara) Hamilton of Inver Grove Heights, MN, Julie (Gary) Humes, Janine (Steve) Lorenz, and Susan (Terry) Toale, all of Independence, IA; 13 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; five great great grandchildren; one sister, Eleanor VanTasell of Cedar Rapids; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Gilbert in 2011; two brothers and their wives, Glen (Vera) O’Brian, Richard (Gertie) O’Brian; two sisters and their husbands, June (Dan) Holstein, Helen (Duane) Bass; her daughter-in-law, Katy McKean Hamilton; her brother-in-law, Carl VanTasell; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorials will be directed to the church and the Independence Public Library as well as other organizations that were important to Eunice.

Condolences may be left at www.White-MtHope.com.
White Funeral Home, Independence is handling the arrangements.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to Lexington Estate at BCHC for the love and outstanding care provided to Mom over the last few years!