Steven P. Hamilton

	Steven P. Hamilton, age 49, of 5684 Swanwick-Rice Road, Rice, passed away suddenly Saturday evening, September 14 at the Pinckneyville Community Hospital in Pinckneyville.
	Steven was born May 24, 2953 in East St. Louis, the son of Paul P. and Jennie (Wortham) Hamilton.  He was united in marriage to Diana L. Ries on June 14, 1975 in Millstadt and she survives.  Steven had been Pastor for Concord Baptist Church in Rice for the last seven years, coming from the Prairie du Rocher and Baldwin area.  He was a member of the Pinckneyville Ministerial Alliance, actively involved in the Nine Mile Baptist Association and loved fishing and barbecuing and fellowship with family and friends.
	Steven is survived by his mother, Jennie Hamilton of Cahokia; his wife, Diana of Rice; one son, Nathaniel Hamilton and wife Bridget of Killeen, Tex.; one daughter, Sondra Hartsock of Rice; one brother, Michael Hamilton and wife Tammie of Fort Worth, Tex.; two sisters, Diana Burns and husband Keith of Collinsville and Elizabeth Burns and husband Jay of Dupo; two grandchildren, Latreyvia and Deantea Sharpe and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his father.
	Funeral services were Wednesday afternoon, September 18 at 1 p.m. at the Concord Baptist Church in Rice with Reverend Bill Burke officiating.  Interment was in the Goodbread Cemetery in Gorham.
	Friends called Tuesday evening at the Concord Baptist Church in Rice from 5 to 9 p.m. and again on the day of the service from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.
	Memorials may be made to the Family of Pastor Steven Hamilton or the Concord Baptist Church.
	Pyatt-Harrawood Funeral Home in Pinckneyville was in charge of arrangements.
