ASHLAND –Dr. Mark J. Hamilton, formerly of Ashland, Ohio, went home to his Lord on, December 27th, 2020. He is a beloved husband, father, grandfather, pastor, professor, author, sports enthusiast, and friend to all. Mark passed away at age sixty-seven.
“Mark Hamilton was a godly man and pastor,” says Elder James DeWeese. “I had the privilege of receiving his teaching for twenty-three years, and serving with him as an Elder at Providence Church for fifteen of those years.
(Photo courtesy of Facebook/Mark Hamilton)
“At Providence, Mark was our teacher, our pastor, our spiritual counselor, and for some of us, our father in the faith. Though he had a PhD. and was a professor of philosophy at Ashland University, he was never proud, difficult to understand, or impatient with our comprehension. He was just ‘Mark’ to every adult in the congregation. He was always approachable and would put aside what he was doing to listen or help. Mark was gifted by God to be the one who knew how to handle a problem or to bring peace to a situation confronting us.”
According to DeWeese, one of Mark’s great concerns was the development of the men in the church to take on their God-ordained spiritual role in the life of the church and in their homes as spiritual leaders of their families. With Mark’s guidance and encouragement, several men have also developed preaching and teaching abilities.
Mark was able to enjoy thirteen extra years due to the willingness of a family to say yes to organ donation when their seventeen-year old son passed away from an accident. James DeWeese went on to share some details about Mark’s resiliency that many may not know about.
“Though he had a PhD. and was a professor of philosophy at Ashland University, Mark was never proud, difficult to understand, or impatient with our comprehension. He was just ‘Mark’ to every adult in the congregation. He was always approachable and would put aside what he was doing to listen or help.”
Elder James DeWeese
“In those last years, Mark experienced very serious compromises of his health. At one point his liver stopped working, and he came very near death before he could receive a liver transplant. Mark tells how, at one of his lowest points, an angel appeared to him one night in the hospital and prayed the most powerful prayer of healing he had ever heard. God spared him, and Mark recovered. About six years ago, Mark was hospitalized with a serious heart attack. Again he was brought near death. Once more, God spared him and he recovered though he lost the sight of one eye. Pat, his wife for thirty-eight years, was very careful of Mark’s medications and diet, and was such a blessing to both him and the congregation.”
One of the congregants from Providence Church also shared thoughts about Mark’s life of ministry.
“Though his life was cut short, from our view on earth, in Mark Hamilton’s roles as a Professor at Ashland University, an Elder at Providence Church, and a member of the community, he made a marked impact,” says Deborah Mount. “As an extrovert, Mark loved meeting new people and poured into the lives of many. A unifier, he worked to the end as did the Apostle Paul did in Acts 21. He lived for the flock and laid down his life and health to shepherd the flock.”
(Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
Dr. Mark Hamilton, Ashland University Associate Professor of Philosophy . was in his thirty-ninth year overall at the university and also served as the Athletic Department’s Faculty Athletic Representative. He also taught courses on Sports Ethics, Philosophy of Religion, Bioethics, Ethics, Christian Thought, Human Nature, and C.S. Lewis. His book, “A Primer On Biblical Ethics,” was published in 2014.
Pastor John Bouquet, President of the Ashland County Ministerial Association, also noted: “Dr. and Pastor Mark Hamilton is with our Lord. His earthly battle is won, faith is his victory. Mark was a lover of Truth, a faithful pastor of His Church, a soldier of the cross. He was a beloved professor at AU and a true Christian brother. We pray for his wife, their children, and grandkids. Mark was given extended years to serve after his liver transplant, he served well. We love you, Mark Hamilton. See you soon our dear brother!”
Mark’s obituary can be seen by clicking here. View the video below of an interview of Mark profiling his civic involvement as a pastor of his community.
The Bottom Line:
“The name of the righteous is used in blessings, but the name of the wicked will rot.” Proverbs 10:7
