Edith Bank Obituary Edith was born on July 10, 1941, to Merle Sr. and Edith (Pennington) Hamelton in Keokuk, Iowa. She spent the majority of her life in Keokuk and passed away there in her home on August 11, 2010. Edith is a 1960 graduate of Keokuk High School and earned her Bachelor's of Arts degree from Culver Stockton College in Canton, MO in 1976. She worked as a social worker, helping those in need. She retired on April 9, 2010, from Community Action in Keokuk, where she was a Family Development Specialist for the FADS program. She took great pride in her work and loved helping parents better themselves and the lives of their children. Edith also had a great love for art and many family and friends have her charcoal drawings and paintings in their homes. Edith was preceded in death by her parents; her sister Linda Spurgeon; and brother Charles Hamelton. Edith is survived by her 2 sons: Richard Bank & Brian Barnes of Keokuk; her 3 daughters: JoAn & her husband Jason Salt of Bayville, NY, Shawna Bank of Keokuk, & Karla and her husband Tracy Nielsen of Spencer, IA; 5 Grandchildren: Robert, Kari, Sara, Rebecca, and Hailey; 2 brothers: Merle Hamelton Jr. and his wife Pat of Keokuk, & Floyd Hamelton of West Plains, MO. Also sharing in cherishing her memory is a large extended family of nieces, nephews, and cousins, and many friends. Funeral services were Monday, August 16, 2010 at DeJong Funeral Home of Keokuk with the Rev. Bill Hauser officiating. Burial followed at Oakland Cemetery in Keokuk. Edith dreamed of holding a one man Art show to display her work, so some of her paintings and drawings will be on display at the visitation and funeral. A memorial has been established. To carry-on Edith's tradition of helping others, the family asks that attendees bring a food item or grocery gift card to the visitation or funeral service as a donation to the God's Way Christian Center Soup Kitchen.