Crawford County Commissioners honored De Dee Hamilton at their weekly meeting on Oct. 14 with a plaque and heartfelt gratitude for her 25-year career with the county, including time as the elections manager and deputy clerk.

“I have been working with De Dee for about three years now,” said Associate Commissioner Mark Pfeiffer, District 1. “She has always been very professional and willing to help in any way she can. I will miss her bubbly personality and smiling face around the office. I hope she enjoys her well deserved retirement.”

When Hamilton was first employed with the county, she worked part-time assisting with various tasks within the clerk’s office and then one day became the elections management and deputy clerk, in which she has served many years in the role. Hamilton said she really enjoyed the position as it focused on voter registration and elections, of which she is passionate about.

“It’s an important thing that election integrity is guarded and people are having an interest in it,” Hamilton said. “I’ve just been interested in how the whole process works and wanted to make sure it’s maintained the right way and done correctly.”

Even though Hamilton officially retired Oct. 16, she will still take minutes at the weekly Crawford County Commission meeting. She will also help make the transition for the new election management and deputy clerk and offer support as well.

“I would like to say what an asset De Dee has been to the county and myself during my time as presiding commissioner and I know she has been that same asset for her entire career with the county,” said Presiding Commissioner Steve Black. “She will be extremely hard to replace but she has made sure that those replacing her are up to speed making the transition so much easier. Her knowledge and experience specifically with the voting process and elections will be greatly missed.”

Of her time working for Crawford County, Hamilton said she is very proud of the clerk’s office as it is a “kind of the hub of the courthouse and county,” as well as all the people she has crossed paths during her employment.

“I’m grateful for the people that I’ve worked with and the relationships that I’ve formed with them,” Hamilton said. “I’m just glad that people can come to the clerk’s office and get what answers they need and the help that they need.”

In her retirement, Hamilton plans to take it easy and spend time with her loved ones.

“I have three granddaughters that I dearly love and love spending time with them. I have my two daughters and their families and I love to spend time with them too. It’s just slowing down and having a little bit more flexibility,” she said.

Hamilton will be training Jenni Pilkenton as her replacement in the coming.