Kermit Keith Hamilton

Kermit Hamilton, 91, of Unionville, Mo, passed away at the Putnam County Memorial Hospital in Unionville on Tuesday, March 19, 2019, after a brief illness.

Kermit Keith Hamilton was born in Putnam County, MO, on April 4, 1927, the son of Cecil Loyd and Ruby Ruth (Galloway) Hamilton, who preceded him in death. He was reared in western Putnam County and graduated from Unionville High School in 1944. Kermit entered the United States Navy in March of 1945 and served until April of 1946. He went to the Quad Cities briefly after his Honorable Discharge, but then returned to Unionville to work in a Gas Service station. He was then hired to sell tires in the Joplin, MO, area, but returned to Putnam County after a few years. Kermit married Nettie Chloe Casady in Unionville on May 28, 1950, and she preceded him in death on March 2, 2018.

Kermit and Chloe began married life in western Putnam County and then moved to a house in 1958 that would be their home for 60 years. They engaged in the dairy business for over ten years. When they sold out Kermit began work as a janitor at Unionville High School in 1969. He continued to farm on a smaller scaler while working at the high school. Kermit then went to work with his son-in-law in beginning a new business in Unionville: Carmaco. In 1983 he opened Hamilton Feed and Farm Supply in Unionville which he operated for many years, later bringing in his son Donald to run the store. Kermit retired from work in 2003.

Kermit’s faith and church were at the center of his life and family. He accepted Christ as Savior at a tent revival at Midway in 1963 and attended West Liberty Baptist Church for several years. He and Chloe were later members at First Baptist Church in Unionville where Kermit was ordained as a deacon, taught youth Sunday School and he and Chloe engaged in several mission trips to Indian Reservations in North Dakota. Kermit and Chloe later joined Omaha Baptist Church. Kermit was also very community minded, rarely missing a work day for a neighbor. He and Chloe also drove friends and neighbors on countless trips to doctors’ appointments. He had a gentle and kind spirit and was a man of wonderful wisdom and insight.

Kermit is survived by his five children: Donna Jean (David) Downey of Harrisonburg, VA, David (Janet) Hamilton of Auxvasse, MO, Deanna (Jerry) Carter of Macon, MO, Dennis (Tammy) Hamilton of Hopkins, MO, and Donald (Tracy) Hamilton of Unionville, MO. His 14 grandchildren are John Hamilton, Aaron Downey, Ashley Carter Seal, Jason Hamilton, Jill Hamilton Clements, Jesse Hamilton, Tyler White, Tarran Hamilton O’Riley, Casady Hamilton Lilly, Bryan Hamilton, Katelyn Carter Maben, Megan White-Davis, Wesley Hamilton, and Jacob Hamilton. Kermit is also survived by 17 great grandchildren as well as three sisters, Evelyn (Harry) Klinginsmith of Laredo, MO; Mary (Kenny) Rennells of Unionville, MO; and Carolyn (Fred) Lenards of Hamilton, MO.

In addition to his wife and parents, Kermit was preceded in death by an infant sister, Ruth.

Funeral services for Kermit Hamilton will be at Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home in Unionville at 2:30 pm on Saturday, March 23, 2019, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Unionville Cemetery.