White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Gilbert Dean “Cricket” Hamilton, 79 years old, of Independence, Iowa, died on Friday, August 5, 2011, at the Buchanan County Health Center in Independence following a sudden illness.  He was born on September 15, 1931, in Independence, Iowa, the son of John “Bert” William and Ruth Mildred (Norton) Hamilton.  He graduated from high school in Winthrop, Iowa, in 1948.  He served in the U.S. Marines during the Korean Conflict.  On November 28, 1954, he and the former Eunice Eileen O’Brian were married at the First Methodist Church in Rowley, Iowa.  Mr. Hamilton farmed for 23 years and also worked in the maintenance department at the Mental Health Institute in Independence for 24 years.  He retired in 1996.

Mr. Hamilton was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Independence, the Buchanan County Historical Society, Sheehan-Tidball American Legion Post #30 (past commander) , and A.F.S.C.M.E. (past district vice president).  He was a member of the first Buchanan County Extension Council and he was an Independence City Council person for 8 years.  He was also a former chairman of the M.H.I. Credit Union.  Mr. Hamilton enjoyed playing bridge, other card games and pool as a member of the Majestic Pool League; coin collecting, hunting, fishing, woodworking, and working word find puzzles.  He also volunteered at the M.H.I. and received the Iowa Governor’s Award for Volunteerism in 2008.

Mr. Hamilton is survived by his wife of 56 years, Eunice, 3 sons, Steven (Katy McKean) Hamilton of Sandy, Utah, Loren Hamilton of Independence, Iowa, and Daniel (Barbara) Hamilton of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, 3 daughters, Julie Bitterman, Janine (Steve) Lorenz, and Susan (Terry) Toale, all of Independence, Iowa, 13 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, Everett Hamilton, Bernard Hamilton, and Fay Hamilton, and 1 sister, Lillian Postel.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 9, 2011, at the First United Methodist Church in Independence with Rev. Sheri Andersen officiating.  Casket Bearers will be Joshua Hamilton, Jill Hamilton Roberts, Steven Hamilton Mayner, Zachary Hamilton, Garett Hamilton, James Hamilton, Jonathan Hamilton, Janelle Hamilton, Chad Bitterman, Megan (Lorenz) Rasmussen, Kyle Lorenz, Jacob Toale, and Dustin Toale.  Burial will be in Wilson Cemetery in Independence, Iowa.  Friends may call for visitation from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 8th, at the White Funeral Home in Independence where a Military Service begins at 7 p.m.