Joe Hamlin, 78

Joseph Amund Hamlin, age 78, of Klinger Lake, Sturgis, passed away Friday afternoon, Dec. 29, 2017, at Joanne’s House at Hope Hospice in Bonita Springs, Florida.
He was born March 23, 1939, in Merrill, Wis., a son of the late James Harvey and Margaret (Running) Hamlin.
Joe resided in Sturgis since 1970, coming from Allegan, and his early life was lived in Merrill, where he was a graduate of Merrill High School with the class of 1957.
On July 22, 1961, he married Lucille M. “”Lucy”” Krause in Merrill. She died Oct. 15, 2007.
Most of Joe’s working life was in the advertising and publishing business. He owned and operated Gateway Shopper’s Guide from 1970 until his retirement in 1995.
Joe was proud to have served his country with the Asian Defense Command aboard the USS Hamul in the U.S. Navy, earning the rank of petty officer.
He was a longtime active member of Klinger Lake Country Club and B.P.O.Elks #1381. He enjoyed playing golf, fishing and was an avid reader.
He is survived by a son, Christopher (Amy) Hamlin of Sturgis; two grandchildren, Lauren (Rob) Robinson of Chicago and Joseph Aaron Hamlin of Sturgis; five sisters, Alice Jane O’Day, Margaret Robl and Claudia Roberts ,all of Merrill, Wisconsin, Eunice Langlois of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Elaine Shultz of Eau Claire, Wis.; four brothers, Reid Hamlin of Oshkosh, Wis., William Hamlin of Eudora, Kan., Donald Hamlin of Humble, Texas, and Wayne Hamlin of Marshfield, Wis.; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; a sister, Esther Witkup; and a brother, James Hamlin.
In accordance with Joe’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service celebrating and honoring his life, followed by a continued time of fellowship at the Klinger Lake Country Club, will take place in spring 2018. Full military honors will be conferred by Capt. John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW and the U.S. Navy Honor Guard.
The Rosenberg Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes is entrusted with the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be directed to Salvation Army, 105 N. Fourth St., Sturgis, MI 49091; or Joanne’s House, 27200 Imperial Pkwy., Bonita Springs, FL 34135.
His obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.