Ward Stephen Hamlin Sr.

Ward Stephen Hamlin, 89, of South Haven, died Wednesday, November 25 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. Ward was a remarkable man and a father figure to many more than his own eight children. His love of life and acts of kindness touched many people over the years.

He was born January 26, 1920 in Glenn, Michigan to Jerome and Ida (Overhiser) Hamlin. Ward was raised on a farm with his brother Reno and sisters, Virginia (Martin) and Dorothy (Hickleman). He was a 1938 graduate of South Haven High School and attended Western Michigan University. Ward married his high school sweetheart, Sarah Jane Overton in 1943 and began a journey of love and friendship that lasted nearly 60 years.

Ward enlisted and served as a Lieutenant, Squadron Commander, Physical Training and Flight Instructor during World War II. After the war, he served as Vice President of S.E. Overton Company for 23 years. Ward founded and was President of Hamlin-Overton Frame Company, Inc. for 19 years until his retirement. He was acknowledged by both the Eastman Kodak Company and the Franklin Mint as an outstanding vendor.

Ward was a St. Basil parishioner and a member of the Saint Basil School Building Committee and the School Board. He served on the Board of Directors of the First American Bank, the great Lakes Coalition, and the South Haven Country Club. Ward served as a member of the first South Haven Charter Commission. He was a member of the South Haven Yacht Club, the Maritime Museum, the South Haven Rod and Gun Club, Kalamazoo Country Club, and a life member of the South Haven American Legion and Elks Club.

He is preceded in death by his parents, siblings and his wife – Sarah Jane Hamlin who died in 2002 and an infant son in 1952.

He is survived by four sons – Steve (Karen) Hamlin, Terry (Mary) Hamlin and Charlie O. (Cheryl) Hamlin all of South Haven, Michigan and David (Rosalee) Hamlin of Mishawauka, Indiana. Four daughters – Mary (Frank) Martelli, Sally (Wayne) Householder and Cathy (Randy) Adkin of South Haven, Michigan and Barbara (Phil) Bruneel of Atlanta, Georgia. Twenty-three grandchildren and their spouses, many nieces and nephews and fourteen great grandchildren, who dearly loved their “Bumpa".

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. with a Scripture Service at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 10, 20009 at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, December 11, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Basil Catholic Church with Rev. Father Robert Flickinger officiating. Burial will take place at McDowell Cemetery, Casco Township. Reception to follow at Tello’s Banquet Hall on North Shore Drive. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Basil Catholic Endowment Fund or Fisher House, www.fisherhouse.org.

Kindly share your thoughts and memories on the family’s online guest book at www.filbrandtffh.com.

The family is being served by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South Haven.