Barbara L. Hamilton, formerly Barbara L. Ramsey, was born in DeKalb, Illinois on May 23, 1953, at
the Glidden Hospital.  She was the third of three children born to Donald and Betty Ramsey.  Barbara was a member of the First United Methodist Church in DeKalb, where her mother was the district office secretary and her father was a longtime usher.  She graduated from DeKalb Senior High School in 1971.  Barbara continued her education at Kishwaukee Community College after high school.

Barbara married Douglas Hamilton, also of DeKalb, in June of 1973.  At the time of their wedding, Doug was in the U. S. Air Force.  While in the Air Force, they lived in Utah, Alaska, Arizona, New Mexico, Ohio, and Nevada.  In 1975, while in Alaska, Barbara gave birth to their son, Gregory.

Upon Doug’s retirement from the Air Force, they moved to the greater Phoenix, Arizona area.  Barbara traveled often, visiting the many friends she had made over the years, while living in different parts of the country.  She returned to DeKalb often to visit with friends from her high school years and childhood friends from the street where she grew up.  She enjoyed attending concerts both locally and across the nation.  

Acting on her lifelong fascination with the practice of medicine, Barbara graduated from the Medical Technician program at Apollo College in Phoenix in the spring of 2003.  As her parents health declined she was able to spend many months over several years with them in DeKalb, helping with daily tasks and errands.

Declining health compelled Barbara to enter into an assisted living facility in May of 2025.  She passed on March 8, 2026 with her husband Doug at her side.  Barbara was preceded in death by her parents Don and Betty Ramsey and her middle brother Paul Ramsey.  She is survived by her husband Douglas Hamilton; her son Gregory Hamilton, Greg’s two daughters Skylar and Kaitlyn, and Greg’s wife Diana; her sister-in-law Patricia Miller; and her oldest brother Douglas Ramsey, his wife Linda, and their children Andrew and Janet.

Barbara was loved by many and will be missed by her immediate and extended family members, as well as the many friends she had made through the years.

A visitation will be held on Friday May 15, 2026 from 9am until 11am at Anderson Funeral Home, 2011 S 4th St, DeKalb, IL 60115. Interment will follow at Fairview Park Cemetery.