Charlie Hamilton, born in East St. Louis, Illinois on August 13, 1934, died on 15 October 2020, in O’Fallon, IL. Charlie was fortunate to have had the best parents in the world, Charles W. Hamilton and Marietta Geraldine Cassady Hamilton. His parents nurtured him at St. Regis Grade School and Central Catholic High School, both in East St. Louis, and were pleased at his graduation from St. Louis University in 1958 and from St. Louis University School of Law in 1960. Charlie practiced law in East St. Louis from 1960 until 1970, and then practiced from offices in Belleville and O’Fallon until 2018. Charlie was an Assistant State’s Attorney, a Special Assistant Attorney General, Commissioner and Vice-Chairman of the Bi-State Development Agency, Commissioner of the East St. Louis Civil Service Commission, Commissioner of the East St. Louis Board of Fire and Police Commission, and St. Clair County Public Administrator.
Charlie’s military service was performed at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas; Ft. Sill, Oklahoma and Ft. Benning, Georgia. He studied artillery communications at Ft. Sill, then taught artillery communications at the Infantry Center at Ft. Benning.
Charlie was a member of the East St. Louis Bar Association (President), St. Clair County Bar Association (President), Illinois State Bar Association, Missouri Bar Association, Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, American Trial Lawyers Association, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Chicago Bar Association and the Lawyers Association of St. Louis.
Charlie had partnerships with John Marshall Karns Sr., John Marshall Karns Jr., Robert Eggmann, Bill Starnes, Jerome Lopinot, Philip G. Listerman and James H. Bandy, and had associations with John English, Brian Babka, Andrew Gleeson, Doug Dusek, Vincent Lopinot, Allen Churchill, Joseph McDonnell, Ann Hatch, Jeff Watson, Paul Evans, and Joseph Grabowski.
Charlie had achieved the highest rating possible, “AV,” in the Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory, a national directory of lawyers. Charlie was regarded as an excellent prosecutor and an expert trial attorney in civil cases, particularly in cases involving injuries to construction workers, and in product liability cases. Charlie had tried approximately 600 jury cases, involving automobile accidents, medical malpractice, Federal Employers’ Liability Act, Jones Act, injuries to construction workers, slander and libel, product liability cases and tried the first uninsured motorist case in Southern Illinois.
Charlie had been attorney for Fairmount Park, a thoroughbred race track, for 35 years, and was known for his interest in all sports, particularly the St. Louis Cardinals, the St. Louis Football Cardinals, the St. Louis Blues and the St. Louis University Billikens. For years, Charlie was the only lawyer-member of the prestigious 1-2-3 Club of St. Louis, a sports-oriented organization which had received national attention in several sports publications. Charlie had been a member of the Knights of Columbus for 67 years and enjoyed membership in the Missouri Athletic Club for many years.
Charlie had one sister, Mary Kathryn (Hamilton) Walther, who survives; two brothers, David Philip Hamilton, and Richard Gerald Hamilton, both deceased, three grandchildren, Trae Panzau, deceased, Korey Davis and Madison Mizal. Charlie had been married to Patricia Fields Hamilton, now deceased, and to Patricia True, who survives. Charlie is also survived by nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and cousins.
Charlie had some good times and some bad times, but he didn’t mind being here and he didn’t mind leaving!
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to HSHS Hospice of Southern Illinois.
Visitation: will be held on Monday, October 19th, 2020 from 10:00am – 11:00am at St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church in O’Fallon, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, October 19th, 2020 at 11:00am at St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church in O’Fallon, IL with Rev. Msgr Hitpas officiating. Internment will follow at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Belleville, IL.
8 Comments To "Charles E. Hamilton"
#1 Comment By Connie Reames On October 17, 2020 @ 8:29 am
I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Charlie through his tenure as legal representative for Fairmount Park. He was known there by many not just as our lawyer, but as our valued friend and frequent guest. I will miss him very much. My deepest sympathies.
#2 Comment By Linda Ochoa On October 17, 2020 @ 1:08 pm
Oh Connie thank you. Charlie spoke of you often. Charlie spoke of many of his good friends from the track. I loved to listen to his stories .
#3 Comment By Edward J. Blake, Jr. On October 22, 2020 @ 6:28 pm
Charlie hired me as a law clerk to assist him in personal injury investigations in 1976. He was a mentor to many young attorneys just beginning their careers. Condolences to Charlie’s family.
#4 Comment By Peggy Whitlow On October 17, 2020 @ 7:42 pm
Dear Mary, I’m so sorry for your loss. You adored Charlie and looked up to him. I’m so glad you were there at the end to offer him comfort and express your love. Sincerely, Peggy
#5 Comment By Mark Ochoa On October 18, 2020 @ 11:32 am
I was very fortunate to have known Charlie for the last several years. Charlie was a classy guy, a man of integrity, and respectful of all, even those who had political differences. He was always up for a debate. If you played by the rules of decorum and knew the facts of the subject being debated, he enjoyed the sparring match of the debate. I will miss you Charles Hamilton; your legacy will live on.
#6 Comment By Laura Morales On October 19, 2020 @ 1:55 pm
So sorry for your loss. I know how close you all we’re to Charlie and how helpful he had been in dealing with legal matters. Sending prayers and healing thoughts to bring you all comfort during this difficult time.
#7 Comment By The Peck Family On October 19, 2020 @ 8:14 pm
What an incredible tribute celebrating an amazing life. We are so sorry for your loss, but grateful for the special times you shared together. Sending love.
#8 Comment By Joan Marie Clark Koch On October 20, 2020 @ 11:21 am
Dear Mary and family, you have my deepest sympathy on the loss of my dear friend Charlie. Even though I’ve lived far away I’ve never forgotten Charlie who not only became an attorney but was a true gentleman. Please extend my condolences to Patricia his widow whom I have not met. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers at this sad time. Joan Clark Koch.