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Dolores Arlene Brueck-Hamilton, age 94, died on Thursday, December 4, 2025. She was born on April 25, 1931 in Kalamazoo to Kenneth and Arlene (Millard) Zinsmaster. She graduated from Mendon High School in 1948 and lived, farmed in St Joseph County all her life. In 1949, she married Vern Brueck and they farmed in the Centreville area for over 50 years. They developed a family of 5 children. Vern passed away in 1982.
Dolores was employed by the St Joseph County Sheriff Deptartment, Wheel Camper, and for 19 years at the St Joseph County Farm Bureau. She also ushered at the St Joseph County Fair for 19 years. Dolores also participated in the chorus of the Mendon Kiwanis Showboat for many years.
In 1992, she married Ronald Hamilton. They retired and spent winters in N. Ft. Myers, FL. Ron passed away in 2021.
She leaves 5 children; Diane (Rex) Mayer, Vicky (Richard) Anders, Larry (Vicki) Brueck, Shirley (Bill) Schuring, and Penny (Tim) Howard; 2 stepchildren; Joan (Jack) Klier and Ann (Robert) Brown; 22 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren and 1 on the way; 1 great-great-granddaughter; siblings; Joseph Zinsmaster and Marlene Young; half-sister; Karen (Denny) Hemple. She was preceded in passing by her parents, Kenneth and Arlene Zinsmaster; husbands; Vern Brueck and Ronald Hamilton; brothers, John and Phillip Zinsmaster; stepdaughter, Mary Anderson; and grandson, Brandon Schuring.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2025 from 11am until 1pm at the Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon. Services will begin at 1pm with Pastor Joshua Brueck officiating. Following services, burial will take place at Prairie River Cemetery in Centreville. It is suggested that donations made in Dolores’ name, be made to the Mendon Kiwanis Club. Condolences and memories may be expressed to her family at eickhofffuneralhome.com
