Donna Jean Hamilton

Donna J. Hamilton 91, of Mesa, AZ passed away September 12, 2024, at Canyon Winds in Mesa, AZ. A visitation celebrating Donna’s life will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Monday, September 30, 2024, at Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory – Geneseo Chapel, 580 E. Odgen Avenue, Geneseo, IL. A Recitation of the Rosary will begin at 3:30 p.m., before the visitation at the funeral home.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at St. Malachy Catholic Church, 595 E. Ogden Avenue, Geneseo, IL.  Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband Robert “Bob” Hamilton, who passed away on 10/11/1975.

Donna was born at home in Osco, IL, on October 2, 1932, to Charles and Myrtle (Wildermuth) Specht. She was a lifelong Catholic in the Mesa and Geneseo areas. She was baptized, confirmed, and married at St. Malachy’s in Geneseo. She was actively involved in the church, 4-H, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Women of the Moose, and Women of the VFW.

Donna attended Welton and Ayers Grade Schools in Osco and Cambridge, IL, and graduated from Geneseo High School, class of 1950.

Donna married Robert Burdett Hamilton on August 23, 1952. They farmed in the Osco and Geneseo area after Bob returned from Korea. Before starting her family, Donna was employed at Farmers Bank. She later worked in school cafeterias in Geneseo, Farm & Fleet, Leading Lady, Hammond Henry Hospital, and eventually Motorola in AZ, where she retired in 1996. Donna and Bob raised five children, four boys and one girl, and celebrated 23 years of marriage before Bob’s tragic passing in a car accident in 1975.

Throughout her life, Donna remained active in various organizations, including Women of the Moose, Women of the VFW, and numerous Church groups. She was also involved in Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and was a lifetime member of the American Blood Foundation. 

Donna was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Myrtle (Wildermuth), her husband Robert Burdett Hamilton (1975); her oldest son Robert W. Hamilton (2005); her third oldest son Rodney D. Hamilton (1995); her daughter-in-law, Barbra J. Hamilton (2022); and her brother-in-law, Carl Cochran (2015)

Those left to cherish her memories are second oldest son Richard L. Hamilton of Mesa, AZ; daughter Patricia A. Greer-Hamilton of Mesa/Lakeside, AZ; and youngest son William C. Hamilton of Mesa, AZ; sister Arlene (Carl) Cochran of Geneseo; brother Kenny and sister-in-law MaryAnn Specht of SC; Grandchildren William R. and Rachel (Merrix) Hamilton of Mesa, AZ; Laura M. Romero of Rio Rancho, NM; Jarrod and Julie (Langley) Pickering of NC; Jason Pickering of Phoenix, AZ; great-grandchildren Nova and Cash Romero of Rio Rancho NM; and Duane and Holden Pickering of NC. She was loved and will be remembered by many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Memorials can be made in Donna’s name to Hillcrest Home in Geneseo, Henry County Humane Society - Geneseo, and the Alzheimer’s Association.