Lynette I. Hamilton, 81, of Portage, Mich. and formerly of Niles, died at 10:45 a.m. Saturday, May 1, 2010 at Kairos Dwelling in Kalamazoo.

Mrs. Hamilton was born April 11, 1929 in Niles to Frank and Treva (Weed) Smith. She graduated from Niles High School in 1947, and moved to Jackson, Mich. in 1948, where she lived most of her life.

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

On Jan. 18, 1948 she married Ralph Hamilton Jr., who preceded her in death on March 18, 2003. She was also preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Alfreda Steinbauer.
Mrs. Hamilton is survived by her daughters, Diana Chappel, of Alabama and Denise (Tom) Thomas, of Kalamazoo; grandchildren, Joshua (Amy) Hamilton, of St. Leonard, Md. and Elisa (James) Oulch, of Jackson; five great-grandchildren; sister, Fran Farver, of Mishawaka; and several nieces and nephews.

Services for Lynette I. Hamilton will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 13, 2010 at Halbritter Funeral Home in Nile with the Rev. Edwards H. Slate of Wesley United Methodist Church officiating.

Internment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 East Centre Ave., Portage and beginning one hour prior to services at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Lynette may be made to Kairos Dwelling, 2945 Gull Rd., Kalamazoo, MI 49048.