Ronald Hamilton

Ronald “Ron”Hamilton, 74, of St. Joseph, MI and Jensen Beach, FL passed away Monday, October 2, 2017 at Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M., Monday, October 9, 2017 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Service, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Rev. Dr. Christopher Noffke officiating. Friends may visit from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M., Monday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Colorado Wildlife Heritage Foundation, 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO., 80216. Those wishing to share a memory of Ron online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com  Ron was born May 4, 1943 in St. Joseph, MI to Jack & Donna (Kerlikowske) Hamilton. He graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1961 and went on to receive his Bachelor’s from Western Michigan University. On August 29, 1964 he married Sandie Leitow in Benton Harbor. Ron was the owner of Smithco Service in Florida for many years. His business specialized in Air Conditioning, Commercial Refrigeration and ice machines. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge ‘Blue Lodge’ in Benton Harbor. Ron enjoyed collecting Hot Rods and belonged to car clubs in St. Joseph and in Florida. He also enjoyed being outdoors especially in the mountains in Colorado. Ron was also an avid University of Michigan and Detroit Lions Fan.  Ron is survived by his wife Sandie Hamilton; daughters, Kelly (Brian) Murphy, Kristen (Brian) O’Shaughnessy and Kara (Phil) Taiclet; four grandchildren Patrick O’Shaughnessy, Sean Murphy, Deegan Taiclet and Avett Taiclet; and siblings Jack Hamilton Jr., Michael (Vickie) Hamilton, Jill Brummett and Sally Jankowski. Ron was preceded in death by his parents.