Jeffrey Carl Hamilton's Obituary
Jeffrey Carl Hamilton called out, “You Have Life, Embrace it,” then bade farewell and ascended to Heavens Above Thursday morning, August 28, 2025.
Bravely and selflessly he endurred 2 years of failing health. Born in Decatur, IL, March 6, 1958, the 4th of 5 children, he attended DPS and participated & excelled in many sports, including baseball, tennis, golf, and especially ice hockey. Jeffrey loved the outdoors, camping, hunting, trout fishing, and being at Bennett Spring. Jeffrey was an avid sailor, daring wild gales on his Hobie Cat.
Year round, Decatur Parks & Shady Lake provided sancturary where many childhood and lasting friendships were formed. Jeffrey, while a youth, learned fiscal responsibility, earning income rain or shine delivering Decatur newspapers, shoveling snow, and manicuring West-end lawns. Upon MHS 1976 graduation, Jeffrey enrolled at SIU-C, excelling at the School of Architecture, consequently being acceptedd at ASU Tempe Professional School of Archicecture. Jeffrey was gifted and capable, successfully executing many business endeavors, including managing architectural coating sales at the family business, crafting many boat and yacht repairs at Harbor Hill Marina, real estate sales, minor league baseball, Peoria Cubs, and stadium management.
Above all, Jeffrey dearly loved his family and took pride in them; watching their growth and achievments made him a proud daddy! They are Hillary (Ben) Cuthrull, Jade (Oliver) Herder, Mikalea, Will, Lauren, Abby, and Jackson. Jeffrey became a proud grandfather this year to Henry Peter Herder.
Jeffrey knew beauty, he was married to Therese Heinbold and later Shannon Good. Also surviving Jeff are his siblings, Suzanne Cordes, Timothy and Wife Sara, Christopher and wife Angela. Nieces Alisha (Steve) Billingsley, Sara Jane, Tracy (Jay) Lamb, Ashely, Daley (Adam) Collins, Rachel (Jake) Janes. Nephews Graham, Elliot (Kat), Leslie, Niles “Big N” (his favorite), Robbie (Ashely) Cordes, and Jacob “Jake”.
Predeceased are his parents, William Sr. and Barbara, fraternal grandparents Edward Carl and Marie Hamilton, maternal grandparents Lyle and Ann Corrington, brother William Edward Jr. (Biff), sister-in-law Nancy, brother-in-law Robert, and nephew Derek.
A special thank you to Patrick Hazelrigg, Jamie Pickett, Suzy Taylor, and sister-in-law Sara is deserved, helping his Healing!
A private family graveside is at Lake Bank Cemetery in Latham, IL, September 17, 2025. Friends are encouraged to attend a hurrah at Robbies on Merchant Street at 2-4pm, September 17, 2025.
Moran & Goebel Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at https://www.moranandgoebel.com.
What’s your fondest memory of Jeffrey?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jeffrey?
Share a story where Jeffrey's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jeffrey you’ll never forget.
How did Jeffrey make you smile?
