AVA - Archie C. Hamilton, 86, of Ava, passed away on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at the Missouri-Baptist Hospital in St. Louis, MO. Archie was born November 5, 1923 in Cora, IL to Archie, Sr. and Eula Clendenin Hamilton. He married Eileen Heins on May 10, 1947 at the Christ Lutheran Church in Jacob, IL. He was a veteran of the US Army having served during WWII. He served from July of 1945 to January of 1947. During his venue he served a one-year term of duty in Germany, serving in the 331st Military Police Unit. He was a member of the Christ Lutheran Church in Jacob. Archie was the founder of Hamilton Angus Farms in 1938. He has been in the Angus Business for 72 years. He started with help from his ag teacher by purchasing his first Angus heifer as a youngster. After returning from the military his love of Angus cattle did not diminish. His family farm was the heart of his family. From early mornings to late nights Archie always had the best interest of his family, Angus cattle and his farm in mind. Along with this, he always found time to be heavily involved in his church and community. As Angus breed progressed, Archie's goal was to raise superior functionally sound performance-oriented cattle for friends, neighbors and local customers. As time progressed, Archie and Eileen's three sons, Kenny, Glenn and Don offered a driving force to Archie and the Angus breed. All three grew up showing Angus beef and continue to today. In later years, Archie enjoyed his two grandsons, Doug and Dusty as well as his granddaughter's Kim, Kelly and Kayla showing his Angus beef. Archie was a lifetime member of the American Angus Association and a member of the Illinois Angus Association, Southwestern Illinois Angus Association and Hamilton Angus is a member of the Wabash Valley Angus Associationg. Over the years, Hamilton Angus Farm has held their own production sales. Archie was a trusted and loyal director of the Egyptian Electric Cooperative for 37 years. For 24 years, he was a devoted member of the board of education for Mississippi Valley School District #166 board , having served as president of the board for several years. He was also a member of the Kaskaskia V.F.W. Post 33553 of Chester; B.B.K. American Legion Post #480 of Steeleville; the Jackson County Farm Bureau; Southern Illinois Power Coop; the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives; a charter member of the Mississippi Valley Gun Club; he presently is the Degognia Township Clerk; and his was a member of the Chester High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Archie is survived by his wife, Eileen Hamilton of Ava; three sons, Kenneth (Carol) Hamilton of Steeleville, Glenn (Meindy) Hamilton of Sesser, IL, and Don (Julie) Hamilton of Ava; and five grandchildren, Kimberly Hamilton, Douglas (Keri) Hamilton, Dustin Hamilton, Kelly Hamilton and Kayla Hamilton. Archie was preceded in death by his Parents and one sister: Margaret Gaston. Funeral service will be held on Monday, May 17, 2010 at 11:00 am at the Wilson's Funeral Home in Ava with Rev. Mike Kettner officiating. Personal comments will be offered by a family friend, Rev. Phil Carson. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Chester, IL. Military graveside services will conducted by Kaskaskia V.F.W. Post #3553 of Chester. Visitation will be at Wilson's Funeral Home, Ava, where friends may call on Sunday from 4 to 8 pm and on Monday from 7:30 am until 11 am. Memorials may be made to Christ Lutheran School, Jacob.