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HALLIE HAMILTON Obituary
Born Jan. 19, 1924, in Bridgeport, the son of Hallie L. and Mary L. (Little) Hamilton, Hallie married Floann M. Moseley on Aug. 18, 1956, in West Frankfort. They moved to DeKalb from Joliet in 1958.
A 1942 Bridgeport High School graduate, his start at Franklin (Indiana) College in 1942 was interrupted by World War II. He graduated from Franklin in 1949 with honors and a Bachelor of Arts. He also had earned letters in football (4) and track (3), and served as track captain his senior year. His major subject was journalism.
Hallie served in the U.S. Army infantry from 1943 to '46. He became a basic training instructor, a platoon sergeant and a provost sergeant. He served 14 months in Italy.
He graduated from Northwestern University in 1951 with is Master of Science in Journalism and in 1968; he earned his Ed.D in Higher Education and Journalism from Indiana University.
Before coming to DeKalb, Hallie worked for newspapers in Indiana, Illinois and Missouri, and as an industrial journalist in Ottumwa, Iowa, and Joliet. He was an Eagle Scout and was Scout master for troops in three different towns. While in Joliet, he was selected Outstanding Young Man in 1957 by the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce.
Hallie joined Northern Illinois University in 1958 as an instructor in regional services, an early name for public relations. In 1960, he became a part of the newly formed Journalism Department. He was promoted to assistant professor in 1963, to associate in 1968, and to full professor in 1980; he retired in 1991. He was awarded the Excellence in Teaching award from NIU in 1971 and was inducted into the Northern Star Hall of Fame in 2001.
He was a member of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications, NIU Annuitants Association, DeKalb Airport Board and Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He was a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, served on boards for Opportunity House and United Campus Ministry and was active in a number of student and professional journalistic organizations. He also served on various committees at First Congregational Church, Hillcrest Covenant Church, and later at Mayfield Congregational Church. He drove for MedVac for Voluntary Action Center and was an active member of the Kishwaukee Hospital Auxiliary.
He is survived by his wife, Floann; daughter, Kim (Jim) Shine, of Evergreen Park; sons, Bret H. (Ann), of DeKalb and Kord J. (Tom Colletta), of San Francisco; grandchildren, Nick and Kelly Shine, and Grace, Zoë and Eli Hamilton; and a brother, John R. (Carol), of Lawrenceville.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Hallie L. and Mary L.; brothers, Harry L. and Don G. (Betty); and sister, Jane Reisinger.
The memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 3, 2014, at Mayfield Congregational Church, 28405 Church Road, Sycamore, with the Rev. Dr. Martha Brunell officiating.
Memorial visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013, at Anderson Funeral Home, DeKalb. Cremation is by Anderson Funeral Home Crematory.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Hallie J. Hamilton Memorial Fund, sent in care of Anderson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 605, 2011 S. Fourth St., DeKalb.
For information, visit www.andersonfuneralhomeltd.com or call 815-756-1022.
To sign the online guest book, visit www.legacy.com/daily-chronicle.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for HALLIE HAMILTON
Sponsored by Anderson Funeral Home - DeKalb.
Krys Krystosek
March 31, 2014
Hallie was my favorite teacher at NIU and 45 years later I'm still grateful I had the opportunity to be his student. His help and encouragement drove me to spend many hours in photo lab trying to get that elusive “great shot.” Hallie's support gave me the confidence to pursue degree in journalism. Thank you Hallie and RIP.
William Sureck
March 20, 2014
Hallie was the best professor I ever had at Northern. He had the most interesting classes and was a first rate instructor...was encouraging and friendly too. l saw his passing mentioned in the alumni magazine and want to extend sympathy to his family.
annie
January 2, 2014
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Craig Duffield
January 1, 2014
Floann and family,
Our prayers are with youi. We remember you all with great fondness. May God grant you peace and comfort.
Rev Craig and Jeanne Duffield and family
December 26, 2013
Floann and family. He was always so friendly and helpful. I think of both of you often and know how hard it it to say good-bye since we just lost Nelson last Feb. Much love and peace to all of you. Marilyn James
Bea &Hilda
December 26, 2013
Our thoughts are with you Kord and our condolences to you and your family.
Reading all these wonderful tributes, I am sorry we didn't have the pleasure of meeting this very special man.
Gerald DiPego
December 24, 2013
I was a very shy student, especially shy about the fiction I was trying to write - but I was able to show my first short story to Hallie because I felt closer to him than any other teacher. He engaged with us as a warm and open human soul. I was nervous when I went to him for my critique, and he was so sensitive, giving kindly and thoughtful notes and encouragement, a conversation I remember today, and I thank him again. And again.
Gary Kebbel
December 23, 2013
Floann and family, Ken and I treasure our memories of Hallie's and your kindness and support. Hallie was a teacher to all of us. He taught how to be a good person, live a good life and make a difference to those whose lives he touched. He was a wonderful, supportive, thoughtful and funny colleague. He was a pleasure to learn from. We are sorry for your loss, but Heaven is now a better place since he arrived.
rich jesionowski
December 22, 2013
i am happy i could call Hallie a friend.....sorry floann
Hallie...as we remember him.
K Gorenz
December 21, 2013
Pipe photo as requested, thanks to Hallie's family today in DeKalb.
Ron Jordan
December 21, 2013
To the Hamilton Family,
Floann I remember Hallie very well from the days overseeing Meals on Wheels. It was clear that you were a very dedicated couple and great family My sympathy goes out to all of you at this time.
Howard and Jo Swan
December 21, 2013
Floann and family, we are praying for you through this time of grief and loss. We also remember the good times over dinners, with our small group, via our campers in AK and AL and just visiting here and there. Because of Al's health, I won't see you at the visitation but will visit you later. Jo Swan
Claudia Luther
December 21, 2013
I once got an "A" -- and I had to work really hard for it -- from Hallie, and it meant so much to me that I still have the photo framed and hanging in my home today --with his grease-pencil "A" on the back. He was so patient, but he had very high standards. When you finally met them, it was extremely gratifying while also teaching us the professionalism with which we needed operate in the real world. I am happy I was able to keep in touch with him and Floann all these years as I found my way in journalism. My condolences to Floann and their children.
Chuck Berman
December 20, 2013
I think Hallie touched all his students in the same way. He taught me how not only how to use a camera and take pictures, but more importantly, how to do the work with integrity and good grace. I would not have been a newspaper photographer without Hallie.
Class of 1974
Caron Blitz
December 20, 2013
On behalf of the Northern Star Alumni Board, we send our sympathies to the family. Hallie was a legend and inspired us to see the world from many perspectives. His passion was contagious and he will be missed. We feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from this remarkable teacher.
Jeanie Wallis Petersen
December 20, 2013
Kim, Jim and family, so sorry to read of your Dads passing. May fiat and memories comfort you all at this time and the days ahead. Jeanie and Joel Petersen
Alec Barinholtz
December 20, 2013
Hallie was a friend and mentor to me while I attended NIU. I remember he had a theory about photography that the only way it worked was that you had to get your hands wet in the processing chemicals. Some sort of interaction between your body chemistry and the photo chemistry came together to "make" pictures. I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from such a special person. Thank you, Hallie. You will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.
Alec Barinholtz
Photojournalism Major
Class of '79
Carol Hegberg
December 20, 2013
Hallie had personality that made the students feel at ease and yet respect him for he inspired us to think, decide on group projects, and yet he guided us gently. He had a grand sense of humor. He was my favorite college professor. Floann, may you be comforted by your children during this precious Christmas season. I miss seeing you.
---Carol Hegberg
December 20, 2013
Our sympathies to the family. Hallie helped so many of us in so many ways, seemingly every day. His guidance and the example he set himself as a writer, an editor, a photographer -- and especially as a person -- were invaluable.
Ron O'Connor
St. Louis
Journalism Major, Class of 1965
Jeanne Campbell
December 20, 2013
How sad. I knew Hallie when I was married to Roy Campbell. Hallie had a brilliant sense of humor,was a loving husband to his wonderful Floann, and a terrific father to his great kids. My son Keith was about 8 months or thereabouts younger than Kord. One always felt welcome in the Hamilton Household. My deepest sympathies to Floann, their children, grandchildren and kin. Warmest, Jeanne Campbell
Dick Nelson
December 20, 2013
Words cannot express my feelings today after hearing of Hallie's passing. The mere fact that I always thought of him as "Hallie" and not Dr or Prof Hamilton speaks volumes! I was a member of his first photography class in 1961, and I knew immediately that this guy was special. I admired his toughness in my pursuit of that perfect shot..."Come on, Hallie, only a B+!" But, I learned so much from him, not only about photography, but about life and how to be a good teacher AND a good friend at the same time. I patterned my future after Hallie's style and taught for 20 years emulating him every step of the way. I am sure Hallie touched others the same way he touched me. I can't imagine this world without Hallie...I loved him, respected him and will miss him terribly. Love to Floann, Dick Nelson '61
George Stoltz
December 20, 2013
Hallie Hamilton was a remarkable person and instructor. He taught me how to take good photos and how to write feature stories. Both skills I have put to good use during my career. He will be long remembered and appreciated by those of us who were fortunate to know him as a friend and teacher.
George Stoltz
Journalism major
Class of 1962
Kathryn Gorenz
December 20, 2013
Words cannot describe the pleasant memories from NIU grad school, due to Dr. Hallie Hamilton. My sympathies to all his family, friends, students and co-workers who are thinking of him--especially at this sad (for us) time. "THANK YOU, Hallie for all your wisdom; I still utilize many skills learned from you at the age of 55.5+." (NIU '83)
Bob Palermini
December 19, 2013
RIP Hallie Hamilton. You had such a huge impact on me and many, many others through your teaching and your example. Thirty plus years later I still use things you taught me. I've recently returned to doing some photography and think of you often. I just wish you had a pipe with you in the picture here.
PhotoJ major, class of '78
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