Betty Hamilton Obituary

Betty Jane Hamilton

Betty Jane Hamilton, 85, former resident of Greensburg, passed away peacefully Oct. 30 at the Lawrence Presbyterian Manor. Betty was born in Pittsburgh, PA, to Ben and Jessie (Abbott) Stone on March 2, 1927. She had fond memories of her great grandparents, Sam and Jessie McClannahan, who played an important role in her upbringing.

She married John T. Hamilton on May 10, 1945, in Boston and moved to western Kansas in 1949. They divorced in 1975.

Ms. Hamilton managed the Duckwalls variety store in Greensburg for 18 years while serving on the Chamber of Commerce and the City Council. Betty was the first and only female to serve as mayor of Greensburg. She retired from public service after serving as mayor for six years.

Ms. Hamilton moved from Greensburg after the May 4, 2007, EF5 tornado destroyed much of the town. She lived in Cheney for three years before moving to Lawrence.

She is survived by daughters Betty Jo (Jim) Sunley, Thornton, Colo.; Cheryl McLaren, Colorado Springs, Colo; Lisa (Tom) Cleveland, Spring Hill, Fla; and Penny (David) Hodge, Lawrence. She also is survived by six grandsons and one granddaughter, three great grandsons and three great granddaughters and one great great grandson. She was preceded in death by Fred T. McLaren, son-in-law.

She was cremated and services will be at 11 a.m., on Saturday, Nov. 10, at the First Baptist Church in Greensburg with Pastor Marvin George officiating. The family will greet visitors between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 9, at the Fleener Funeral Home in Greensburg.

Memorials may be sent in care of Fleener Funeral Home, 514 S. Main St., Greensburg, KS, 67054, for Grace Hospice, Greensburg First Baptist Church, or Lawrence Presbyterian Manor Scholarship Fund.

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