Donna Jean (Armstrong) Hamilton was born on June 30, 1927 in Shenandoah, Iowa, the daughter of Donald and Sara "Lois" Vera (Draper) Armstrong. Jean entered into eternal peace on Tuesday, July 2, 2012 at the Garden View Care Center.

Jean was the first of 8 children born to her parents. She grew up on a farm near Blanchard on the Missouri side of Atchison County known as Willow Place. She graduated from Westboro High School with the Class of 1945. She received her teaching certificate from Northwest Missouri State University, and later went back to school to finish her Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree in Special Education.

On December 26, 1948 she was united in marriage to Arthur William Hamilton in Tarkio, Missouri. The couple made their home in Elmo where Art farmed. Jean's teaching career spanned 25 years and started in the Lone Star School House. She later taught at Conception School, Filmore School District and later at the Maryville R-2 High School.

You always knew where you stood with Jean. She was blunt and to the point and had a special kind of wit to her. She had a special bond with her father, and he would often refer to her as his "June Bug". Some of her hobbies included reading, journaling, gardening, reading the Bible, listening to the radio, watching television, learning about history, and being the ambassador at Garden View Care Center to the new residents.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister Darlene Manes; brother Jim Armstrong; and husband Art Hamilton. Those left to cherish her memory include her children Donna Hamilton of Shenandoah, Mary Tuggle and husband Jim of Shenandoah, Mark Hamilton and wife Barbara of Winfield, IA, Jim Hamilton of Maryville, MO and Jay Hamilton and wife Denise of Omaha, NE; 8 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; siblings Ardene Mullison and husband Dick of Casper, WY, Walter Armstrong of Coin, IA, Shirley Jo Braymen and husband Bill of Coin, IA, Beverly Delehant and husband Virgil of Shenandoah, Linda Hrbek and husband John of Omaha, NE; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.