Lowell Hamilton

Lowell Hamilton, age 76, of Marysville, passed away on September 29, 2025, at Community Memorial Healthcare in Marysville.

Lowell was born on December 10, 1948, to the late Melvin Milford and Eleanor Dorothy Lucille (Glanzer) Hamilton. In 1966, he was a member of the last graduating class of Waterville High School, where he was known to read all of his school books the first two weeks of the semester and then spend his time working on cars rather than homework. Though he never liked the water, after graduation Lowell served in the US Navy for four years as a Navy Corpsman. On May 22, 1971, Lowell married Susan Marie Scheller, his high school sweetheart, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Waterville.

Lowell grew up and lived most of his life on a farm; he loved the work, especially when it was on a Minneapolis Moline tractor or in one of his prized skid loaders. He often joked that he wanted to be buried in a skid loader when his time was up. His farm work, which included maintaining a herd of cattle, often meant he was late; somehow, though, he always found a way to show up just in time to join his family at the supper table. Outside of the farm, Lowell worked as a rural mail carrier in Onaga for 20 years and was a member of the Kansas Rural Carriers Association. Lowell continued to tend to his cattle, which he affectionately referred to as “the bossies,” well into retirement.

Though he rarely said the words, Lowell had a particular way of telling people “I love you.” It often came in the form of providing solutions to people’s problems, even when they didn’t know there was a problem in need of solving. He often served this up under the guise of “free advice,” which was technically true, as he never sent a bill. Because of this, he raised a family of problem solvers with an unofficial motto: “If Hamiltons Ruled the World…”

A proud veteran of the United States Navy, Lowell was a longtime member of Springer Post 332 of the American Legion in Waterville. Though he wore his Navy blues for only four years, he wore his pride in the United States openly and proudly his entire life.

A man of unshakeable faith, Lowell was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Waterville, where he was baptised, confirmed, and married, and where he served multiple terms on the Church Council. He also helped spread the Word as a member of Gideons International.

More than anything, Lowell was a dedicated and loving head of his family. His voice bellowed from the stands as he cheered on his daughters, and he swelled with pride when they sang as a group named JAKE throughout the community. He attended concerts, plays, musicals, and county fairs in support, bragging all the while. And, as a Valley Heights Board Education member for many years, he was proud to hand all four daughters their diplomas as they crossed the graduation stage. When he had grandchildren, Lowell cheered and bragged all over again.

Preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Evie Jo Hamilton, Lowell is survived by Susan, his wife of 54 years. Together they raised four daughters: Jo (Kevin) Swayne of Hays, Kris Castillo of Junction City, Libbi Hamilton of Junction City, and Mandy (Brian) Cook of Marysville. Their daughters graced them with seven grandchildren: Xander (Destanee) Swayne, Conrad (Nichole) Castillo, Cade Swayne, Alexis (Joel) Hackney, Ian Cook, Ariona Cook, and Nathan Cook.

A visitation will be held from 6:30 to 8:00 pm, Monday, October 6, 2025, at Christie-Anderes Funeral Home in Waterville.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am, Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Waterville, with Pastor David Thompson officiating. Kim Oatney is the musician.  Hymns will include “Here I Am, Lord,” “In the Garden,” and “Be Still My Soul.  ”Inurnment, with military honors provided by the US Navy, will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Waterville.

Memorials may be made in care of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Waterville. Lowell was a generous supporter of Muta’s Orphanage and church upgrades; memorial funds will be used for those causes. Memorials may be mailed to Christie-Anderes Funeral Home at PO Box 61, Waterville, Kansas 66548.

Arrangements provided by Christie-Anderes Funeral Home in Waterville.