OBITUARIES

James F. Hamilton

James F. Hamilton, 92, passed away on July 31, 2023, in Bradenton, Florida.

Jim was born on March 8, 1931, in Elwood, Indiana to James C. Hamilton and Mary E. (Brown) Hamilton. He was a fourth-generation native of the Elwood area. His father’s career moves meant Jim spent his formative years in Elwood and Anderson Indiana, Kansas City, Missouri, Oakland, California, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Jim was a 1949 graduate of Elwood High School in Elwood. He served as the captain of their debate team, winning a contest against James Dean of the Fairmount High School debate team. After high school, Jim attended Purdue University where he graduated in 1954 with a BS degree in mechanical engineering. Upon graduation, Jim’s draft deferment expired and he joined the U.S. Army in May of 1954 and was deployed primarily in Italy.

After returning from the Army, Jim started his career with the Guide division of General Motors in Anderson, Indiana, where he worked 30 years as a senior process engineer, retiring in July 1985.

In December 1957, Jim married Elizabeth (“Bette”) Paterson, a graduate of Ball State Teachers College, who was an elementary school teacher in Speedway, Indiana. In the 1960s and 1970s, he was involved with civic activities including Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. He also served as the 1970 President of the morning Exchange Club in Anderson. He obtained an MS degree from Ball State University and was a registered professional engineer in Indiana. In 1986, he was selected as the Commodore of the Indianapolis Yacht Club of Geist Lake. After retirement, Jim and Bette built a house in Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island, Florida, overlooking Anna Maria Sound. For many years, Jim was active in the Key Royale Club on Anna Maria Island. He particularly enjoyed investing and trading in the stock market. Jim was also an avid world traveler including many trips to Europe and even to Russia. He loved walking and hiking. He hiked the Cinque Terre on the coast of Italy and Peru’s Machu Pichu in his 80s. He was appreciated and respected by all of his children and grandchildren for being a loving and generous person.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 54 years, Elizabeth (“Bette”) Paterson Hamilton, who passed away on July 31, 2011. After Bette’s passing, Jim developed a fond relationship with his companion, Nancy Colcord, of Bradenton, Florida. They enjoyed spending time together including many international vacations.

He is survived by son, James A. (Kim) Hamilton, of Bradenton; grandchildren, James (“Bradley”) Hamilton, of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, Brice C. Hamilton, of Maui, Hawaii; step-grandchildren, Brandee Rimer, of Wichita, Kansas, Brent (Erica) Rimer and their children Karlee, Wesley and Huxley, of Parrish, Florida; son Jeffrey W. Hamilton, of Bradenton; grandchildren, Everett C. (Alexis) Hamilton, of San Diego, California, Olivia Hamilton, of Tampa, Florida; daughter, Elizabeth (Dr. Lawrence) Born, of Indianapolis, Indiana; grandchildren, Nicholas Born, of Chicago, Illinois, Jameson Born, of New York, New York, John Born, of Indianapolis, Indiana and Elizabeth Born of Indianapolis.

A celebration of life will be held in Holmes Beach, Florida in Octobver at a date to be determined. His interment will be at the Sarasota National Cem- etery in Sarasota, Florida. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be made to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.

Ernie Schneevogl

Ernie Schneevogl recently passed away at 88 years old. Ernie was a full-time resident of Holmes Beach since 1998 but the island didn’t slow him down as his speed and tenac ity never waned.

He was raised in New Jersey and was a great baseball player. Ernie began working at a young age at the Monmouth racetrack paddock. He joined the U.S. Army, serving abroad in Korea. He then graduated with a bachelor's degree from Saint Anselm College in 1958. Ernie had two careers after college. The first was working in the insurance business as a senior underwriter for IRM which led to living in New York City, Chicago and finally Charlotte. The second was working as a loyal Publix employee for 25 years. Ernie’s intense passion for work was incredible and only his passing was

SEE OBITUARIES, PAGE 26