| VESTA H. HAMRICK |
| Mrs. Vesta H. Hamrick, 102, a resident of the Illinois Veterans Home since 1978, formerly of Bowen, died at 9:35
p.m. Wednesday (August 29, 2001) in the home. Born April 19, 1899 in Colusa, IL., Vesta was the daughter of James Franklin and Etta Deitrich Paulus. She married Eldon Manford Lofton on December 24, 1923. He preceded her in death. She married William Lester Hamrick Sr. on April 25, 1942. He died on December 1, 1978. Vesta was a member of the Bowen United Methodist Church and the Women's Society of the church. She was also a member of the National Retired Teachers Association and a charter member of the Hancock County WW I Auxiliary #2571. A 1919 graduate of Colusa High School, Vesta attended Western Illinois State Teachers College in Macomb. She taught school for 29 years in Hancock County, 18 years in the Bowen Elementary School. She retired in 1959. Surviving is a son, E. Earl Lofton and his wife Della Faye of Bloomfield, IA.; two grandchildren, Brad Lofton of Des Moines, IA. and Linda Humphrey and her husband Roger of Bloomfield, IA.; three great grandchildren, Shane Humphrey and Clint Humphrey, both of Bloomfield, IA., and Brandon Lofton of Ottumwa, IA; a sister, Edna Cook of Ottuma, IA.; and several nieces and nephews. Vesta was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; a grandson, Bayne E. Lofton; two brothers, Clarence Paulus and Frank Paulus; and four sisters, Edith Matthews, Grace Jacobs, Irene Thompson and Ellen Martin. Graveside services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 in Harris Cemetery near Dallas City by the Rev. Sandy Southard. Visitation will be Sunday afternoon from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the Hamilton Funeral Home in Augusta. Zehender Robinson Stormer Cookson Funeral Home in Quincy is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Bowen United Methodist Church. |