Janis D Hamilton, 86, transitioned to heaven June 14th 2025 in Overland Park, Kansas. She was born in January 1939, and grew up in Kingman, KS with her parents Helen and Earl Kostner.

She attended Kingman High School where she was the 4H Leader and competed with food demonstrations, readings, and more.  She was a member of the Rainbow Girls, and extraordinarily talented young seamstress, and was active with the high school spirit team. She then went to college at K-State and later graduated from Emporia State University, Teacher’s College.

She married her high school sweetheart Gene Hamilton on August 22nd, 1959.  And they were happily married and danced together for 61 years until his death in 2020.

Janis led a very successful career and made a positive impact on many kids lives through her career as the Foods Teacher at the Fort Scott Middle School.  Prior to that she taught cooking and sewing as the Home Economics Teacher for High School age students in Omaha, NE, Findley Ohio, Greenville, IL, and Emporia, KS.

She was talented with many crafts but especially, sewing and tailoring, embroidery, flower arrangement, cake decorating, stained glass, jewelry making, quilting, decorating and so much more.

Janis’s favorite motto was, “You are as Happy as you think you are!”  And her favorite saying was, “A happy memory is a Joy forever”

Janis is survived by her two daughters; Kris and her husband Darren, their daughter Kassi and husband Ben. And Michelle and her daughter’s, Katie and Julie. Also, Janis’s sisters Sondra Ward, Patricia Johnson, and brother Gary Kostner.

Memorial service for Janis to be held Saturday July 26th at 10:30 am at Church of the Resurrection in the Wesley Chapel, Bldg. C, 13720 Roe Blvd, Leawood, KS with a reception immediately following service.

Reception and graveside service for both Janis and Gene Hamilton to be held the same day at 6:00pm. Reception at the Murdock United Methodist Church 2425 SE Murdock Ave, Murdock, KS followed by a 7:00pm graveside service at Greenwood Cemetery.

The family welcomes flowers and plants. Notes of condolence may be sent to Livingston Funeral Home, and donations may be made to care for Janis’s disabled granddaughter, Julie Burke. Checks to be made out to Julie Burke, and sent in c/o Livingston Funeral Home 1830 N Main St, Kingman, KS 67068