Donald (Don) L. Hamilton of Mankato, KS passed away March 20, 2025 at the Salina Regional Health Center at the age of 93.
He was born January 22, 1932 in Mankato and is preceded in death by his wife Audrey (McMillan) Hamilton, parents Dean and Alma (Kimbrough) Hamilton, sister Ruby Scarrow, and brothers James, Clifford, and Ralph Hamilton.
He is survived by his children Marilyn Kay Hamilton (Newcastle, WY) and Greg Hamilton (Boulder, CO).
Don grew up on a farm south of Mankato, graduated from Mankato High School in the class of 1950, and married Audrey Lois McMillan of Burr Oak, KS on July 3, 1953 at the Mankato Christian Church.
After high school, Don began working at the Jewell County Clerk office. While there he assisted the county engineer in surveying and later, through self-learning, earned a certificate in surveying. From there he used this skill working for the Kansas State Highway Commission as an inspector of road and bridge construction. With a young family and wishing to be closer to home, he left the Highway Department and worked as the bookkeeper for a silica sand processing company. He was then asked to serve as the City Administrator of Mankato.
In addition to his City Administrator job, he was president of the City Clerks and Municipal Finance Officers Association of Kansas 1985-86 and served as the director of the Kansas Municipal Utilities Organization 1992-94. At a yearly national meeting of city clerks, he taught a seminar on budget preparation for small municipalities. He retired in 1994 and began helping at Melby Mortuary of Mankato from 2001-20.
Don also served in the US Army National Guard and was honorably discharged, was treasurer for the Mankato Golden Years Club, and was active in his church.
Don enjoyed his vegetable garden, sharing the harvest, playing pitch with friends, and conversing with his kids. He will be missed.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, from 1-8 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m. at the Melby Mortuary in Mankato.
Funeral Services will be held 2:00 PM., Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at the Mankato Christian Church, Mankato, Kansas with Thaddeus Hinkle officiating.
Burial will follow in the Mount Hope Cemetery, Mankato, Mankato.
Memorial contributions may be given to Mankato Christian Church or Jewell County Council on Aging (is part of the North Central Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging) in care of Melby Mortuary, PO Box 384, Mankato, KS 66956.
Arrangements are under the care of Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas.