David Carter Hamilton

January 6, 2023

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David Carter Hamilton, 66 of Frankfort, died January 6, 2023 unexpectedly.  He was born June 18, 1956 in Akron, OH, to George & Lois (Saum) Hamilton.

Dave was a 1974 graduate of Snider High School and attended both Indiana University and Purdue University.  He moved to Frankfort in 1977, to his family’s farm now known as Bittersweet Nursery. His marriage was to Debbie Cooper and together they ran and operated Bittersweet Nursery for the last 30 years.  Dave, as many of you know, never knew a stranger, was always smiling, always happy to see you and share a story.  He provided more than a service to our community, he employed many teenagers, taught them not only to just plant trees, but how to work hard, be proud of your accomplishments and be a positive influence to our community and future.

Dave was a proud Eagle Scout and loved fishing.  He was a Master Angler and caught Michigan’s largest King Salmon in 1998. He also loved music, landscaping our community, I.U. Basketball and above all else he loved his family.

Dave’s legacy will always live on in our community through all the trees, shrubs, & flowers he has put in the ground for over 30 years.

Visitation and Services

Memorial visitation will be 3-6 p.m. Saturday, January 14, 2023 at Goodwin Funeral Home, 200 S. Main St., Frankfort. Following the memorial visitation, everyone is invited to Camp Cullom for food and fellowship until 8:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life is being planned on his birthday, June 18, 2023 at Bittersweet Nursery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Camp Cullom or the Boy Scouts, envelopes will be available.

Survived by:

He will be sadly missed by his wife, Debbie Hamilton, children, Rachel (Cody) Hill, Sarah Dieterle and Andy (Kaity) Dieterle, mother, Lois Hamilton, sister, Jenny (Rick) Shedd, 2 brothers, Andy (Melissa) Hamilton and Chris (Tracy) Hamilton, 6 grandchildren and 8 nieces & nephews.

Preceded by:

his father, George and a brother Tim.

Condolences

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40 Condolences for “David Carter Hamilton”

  1. Kelly Stokes January 9, 2023 at 5:27 pm

    Dear Dave, miss you already.
    Kelly and Danny

    Reply
  2. Rita York January 9, 2023 at 5:51 pm

    Debbie, so very sorry, my prayers are with you and your family. I didn’t know your husband, but heard a lot of good things about him!

    Reply
  3. Brenda Bell January 9, 2023 at 6:23 pm

    This is truly heartbreaking. My deepest condolences to Debbie and family. Dave’s legacy is sprinkled all around my house, two trees, numerous grasses and perennials . Fly high my friend.

    Reply
  4. Donna Woehler January 9, 2023 at 6:43 pm

    Dear Debbie and Family,
    Our sincere sympathy to you and your family. May your many memories of Dave bring you comfort and peace.
    Love and prayers,
    Bill and Donna Woehler Family

    Reply
  5. Cassandra DeWitt January 9, 2023 at 6:55 pm

    So sorry for your loss. Prayers for the family and all at Bittersweet Nursery. He will be missed. God Bless!

    Reply
  6. Carla Williams January 9, 2023 at 6:57 pm

    So sorry to hear about Dave’s passing, He was always so polite and helpful at the Nursery. He never missed the opportunity to say hi out in the community.
    I am the second generation to buy from his place. My mom, Marge Decker, had gone there for years!
    Prayers for all.

    Reply
  7. Kelly Stokes January 9, 2023 at 7:15 pm

    Dave, you will be missed for sure
    Kelly & Danny

    Reply
  8. Marty Frye January 9, 2023 at 7:20 pm

    So very sorry for your loss Debbie. Love, hugs and prayers for you and your family.

    Reply
  9. MARY PATCHETT January 9, 2023 at 7:45 pm

    Debbie. I’m sorry for your loss. I knew Dave since he moved to the family farm. He was such a great guy and I always enjoyed talking to him.
    Please accept my heart felt condolences. Prayers for you and family during your grieving.

    Reply
  10. Nick Coffman January 9, 2023 at 7:53 pm

    My condolences to all of Dave’s friends and family. All will be in our thoughts. Sending love from the East Coast.

    Reply
  11. Bob and Cindy Cacy January 9, 2023 at 8:03 pm

    Dave will be sadly missed by all who knew him. So sorry for your loss. We will miss his smile and big personality. Take care.

    Reply
  12. Deb Sears Walker January 9, 2023 at 8:25 pm

    To each of Dave’s family and friends. I am so sorry to learn of Dave’s passing. He was such a great guy who loved family, friends and the community.
    Thoughts and prayers for you all.

    Reply
  13. Carolyn White January 9, 2023 at 8:34 pm

    Debbie I am so sorry for the loss of your husband. My prayers are with you and your family.

    Reply
  14. Amber Hill Hickman January 9, 2023 at 8:44 pm

    Debbie, Rachael, and family.. I am truly very sorry for your loss. I pray that you may find some peace in knowing that Dave is with our Lord. He must have been an amazing man, husband, and father. God Bless you all.

    Reply
  15. Vicki Morrison January 9, 2023 at 9:58 pm

    So very sorry to hear of Dave’s passing.. prayers of comfort for your family.

    Reply
  16. Karen Butcher January 9, 2023 at 10:15 pm

    This truly breaks my heart. As you know Deb, Dave and I have been friends for over 30 years. He always was so generous, happy and had a few stories now and then..lol. The day he landscaped my home in Mulberry he brought me to tears. My love to you and Rachel, Cody and rest of the family.. Hugs of comfort to you all, as I will not be able to attend the funeral. I will be thinking and praying for you all.

    Reply
  17. Susan groleau January 10, 2023 at 1:14 am

    So sorry to hear this, our hearts go to Deb and family.. prayers and love

    Reply
  18. Thomas Pearcy January 10, 2023 at 6:08 am

    I am so sorry to learn of Dave’s passing. He was one-of-a-kind! Though I did not know him well, I will always remember his unfailing kindness.

    Godspeed Dave.

    Thomas Pearcy

    Reply
  19. Johnna Richardson January 10, 2023 at 8:36 am

    Dave will be sadly missed by the IU Health Frankfort Cardiopulmonary Team (Pulmonary Rehab). He was a shining light here in our class. Our prayers are with you all.

    Reply
  20. Deborah Reagan January 10, 2023 at 9:13 am

    My daughter and I had the best times with Debbie and Dave in the first Master Gardening Class. He was always friendly and happy when talking to him. We will miss those times. RIP Dave.

    Reply
  21. Paul Creasy January 10, 2023 at 9:21 am

    Debbie, I am so sorry for your loss, and I’m sending my condolences to you and the family. Dave will be missed by many in and around Frankfort, RIP Dave

    Reply
  22. Sheree & Ron January 10, 2023 at 11:42 am

    He was a Special soul on this earth who touched many!

    Reply
  23. Jordan January 10, 2023 at 11:56 am

    Miss you Dave you were a great man always had a smile on your face and had great story’s to tell me when you would come by.

    Reply
    • Kristy Miller January 10, 2023 at 10:04 pm

      I’m so sorry for your families tragic loss. Such a huge loss for this community. He was such a sweet guy and so helpful. Continued prayers for everyone at Bittersweet Nursery, Dave’s family and friends.

      Reply
  24. Bonnie Mellady January 10, 2023 at 12:18 pm

    Debbie, my deepest sympathy to you and your family at this time. Dave was such a wonderful man! He will be so missed. I’m glad that I had the chance to know him. Sending hugs!

    Reply
  25. Sandee Pickard January 10, 2023 at 12:25 pm

    Sorry for your loss Debbie. Hugs to you and your family

    Reply
  26. Annette Graef January 10, 2023 at 1:21 pm

    Jack and I are devastated to hear this news. So very sorry. Dave has been a great friend for all these years. He will be greatly missed. Deb, our thoughts and prayers are with you.

    Reply
  27. Vickie Goff January 10, 2023 at 4:19 pm

    So sorry to hear about Dave,. One of the very nice guys. Always putting a smile on your face, always willing to help you with whatever you may need if he can. He will be missed. Thank You Dave for planting my trees I have in my front yard. I’ll think of you in the spring when my flowering crabapple blooms, It’s beautiful. Keeping you in My Prayers Debbie and Family.

    Reply
  28. Rick and Janie Gunter January 10, 2023 at 9:04 pm

    We know there are no words to lessen your grief. Dave was such a good person, he always had time to talk with others and will be greatly missed by all that knew him. We offer our sincere condolences in this most difficult time.

    Reply
  29. Peter Vernasco January 11, 2023 at 3:40 pm

    Very sorry to hear of David’s passing. He was a good friend during my days in Bloomington. I am happy to read of his farm and nursery in Frankfort. My condolences to his wife, Debbie, children, and his mother and siblings.

    Safe Home, Dave.

    Reply
  30. Cheryl Swank January 12, 2023 at 8:26 am

    Debbie, so sorry for your loss – my thoughts are with you and family.

    Reply
  31. Janet Myers Wichmanowski January 12, 2023 at 3:02 pm

    So very sorry to hear this news. Dave was such a great guy. He will be greatly missed by friends and his community. He represented a wonderful Frankfort tradition. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loving wife and companion, Debbie.

    Reply
  32. John Jay McKinney January 13, 2023 at 11:36 am

    Debbie, I did not see you two a lot over the years. But I did see Dave at the farmers market on the square about 4 years ago. He was like always chipper and happy. So sorry for your loss. My best to you and yours. Jay McKinney

    Reply
  33. Deny and Jerri Ridenour January 13, 2023 at 12:56 pm

    Deb and family,

    We are so sorry to hear Dave’s passing. Please know that our thoughts are with all of you during this time.

    Reply
  34. Larry Siders January 13, 2023 at 3:13 pm

    So sorry to see such a great man and friend leave so early.

    Reply
  35. Rick &Tanny Irwin January 14, 2023 at 8:08 am

    So sorry for your loss!! Dave was a great guy! Always willing to help if he could. Hugs and prayers to the family!

    Reply
  36. Eric Spencer January 14, 2023 at 8:15 am

    Colleen & I are sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. He was a great guy who is responsible for adding much natural beauty to our community! Always had a smile and good story. We will think of him as we enjoy the trees he planted in our back yard. Prayers for Debbie and family. Eric and Colleen

    Reply
  37. Beth Hardebeck & David Riggs January 20, 2023 at 3:49 pm

    We were shocked and saddened to learn of Dave’s passing. It was always a pleasure to talk with him and choose beautiful flowers from the nursery. Heartfelt condolences to all the family. We will miss him.

    Reply
  38. Linda Benge January 30, 2023 at 1:52 pm

    Deb and all who remain, I know this was so shocking, so unexpected…sadly, we just never know from moment to moment. I remember Dave and you, Deb, always being so helpful at the nursery when I would bring my mom out for plants, shrubs or flowers. She said these were the best. We have many in our yard still…living reminders of a LIFE well- lived. I know you all will carry on; just know you are being lifted in prayer. I’m sorry I was out of town for the service. Thank You JESUS for Your COMFORT. Amen.

    Reply
  39. Bruce & Rebecca Whiteleather February 1, 2023 at 8:31 pm

    Our kindest regards and deepest sympathies to Deb and the family for their recent loss. David (Bones) was an important figure in my formative years. David had the unique gift of wisdom at a young age and he helped me grow up. Our friendship spanned a 50+ year period from Junior High thru College to the present. I had the privilege to spend a few hours with David alone on Jan 4th and I am still not over the shock of him passing so shortly after. He was balanced, calm, kind and funny, a pleasure to be around. We shared a lot of old stories & a few new ones, both laughing & crying together. David will be missed by many. You are in our Prayers.
    Bruce & Rebecca Whiteleather

    Reply

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