Lynette I. Hamilton, 81, of Portage passed away May 1, 2010 at Kairos Dwelling in Kalamazoo.

Lynette was born April 11, 1929 in Niles to Frank and Treva (Weed) Smith and graduated from Niles High School in 1947. She married Ralph Hamilton Jr. in 1949 and they moved to Jackson, Mich., where she lived for most of her life.

Lynette was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Jackson and retired from Ameritech in 1991 after 20 years of service. She moved to Portage in 2004 to be closer to her family.

Lynette was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Hamilton Jr. in 2003 and by her parents and a sister, Alfretta Steinbauer.

Surviving are two daughters, Diana Chappel, of Alabama and Denise (Tom) Thomas, of Kalamazoo; two grandchildren, Joshua (Amy) Hamilton, of St. Leonard, Md. and Elisa (James) Oulch, of Jackson,; five great-grandchildren; a sister Fran Farver, of Mishawaka; several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 12 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre Ave.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 13 at 2 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home, 615 East Main St. in Niles with a visitation beginning at 1 p.m. until the time of service.
Interment in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Lynette’s memory be made to Kairos Dwelling, 2945 Gull Rd., Kalamazoo, MI 49048.

Please visit www.langelands.com to sign the online register book, view the video tribute and leave a condolence to the family.