My most sincere sympathies to Sue and the family. I grew up in the same neighborhood as Mark, and went to Parker with Mark and Sue. The last time I saw them was about a year ago. Doing a karaoke show in Fort Atkinson, Mark and Sue were there. I was shocked and saddened to hear of losing Mark. Sue if you read this, please know we are all thinking of your and your whole family, and prayers go along with our warmest thoughts. Larry

REST IN PEACE HAMMY.

I'd also like to thank all of the riders and many friends of Hammy for all that they did to honor him on Monday. Whether you rode, sang, brought food, organized the ride, brought cold beer from your own establishment when we ran out, lent us your bartenders, bartended, ran like heck for ice, stocked, helped with clean up, the list goes on and on...... I thank you from the bottom of my heart. It was an awesome tribute.
Angie

I think that the Janesville Gazette did a great job of honoring Hammy with front page coverage of the tribute ride. I have to say, without a doubt, he was the greatest man I ever had the honor of knowing. I would like to thank the many local tavern owners and bartenders for all the support they gave us at the reception at Hammy's after the service. We couldn't have done it without ya! I'd name names but I know I'd forget someone and feel bad. You know who you are and so do we. Have we told ya lately that we love you? We do! Thanks for all the unconditional support.

Angie

Goodbye Mark, thank you for showing us what it's like to be loved, honored and cherished in life and in death.

Ryan

Please this bickering is not what Mark would want, thank you to the Gazette for covering the loss of a wonderful person, Janesville buisness man,Father,friend, brother and so much more.We all strive to be the type of person that Mark was, and we are all chasing what mark and Suzanne had shared together for what was awhile that seems way to short now.Suzanne,Jessica,and Andrew, know that we all love you, LEAN ON US NOW, to help you.

My whole family, all 10 of us, grew up with the Steinke/Hamilton's. We were neighbors and they babysat us, I babysat all their kids and their kids babysat my kids. Skied with them and so on.... Mark was the most kind and generous man around and the whole family --both sides are wonderful people...I feel that these negative comments would be very disheartening to them...the pictures had to be ok'd and they were...stop this nonsense..Suzy and the family are proud that they have the friends that they do...friends that are there for them...and the knew friends they may make because of others reading and seeing how compassionate these people are for each other..who wouldn't want to know them...and for you that believe these pics are distasteful and whatever else...look beyond your initial thoughts, be a little more optimistic and just imagine what it was like to be there with all of the wonderful people there that day celebrating Hammy's life and see the picture for what it is worth---wonderful people supporting wonderful people at a time of need---have a little more compassion for the family---the picture shows how loving they are and how missed Hammy is gonna be---nothing less!!! Rest in Peace Hammy and God bless Jess, Andrew, Suzanne and All Steinke and Hamilton family members

The one thing Suzanne and her family needs right now is support and not negative comments. I know Suzanne better than I know make and when I heard Friday morning that he passed it was hard. The suddenness of it, i think, is was makes it the hardest. With in 2 hours of that call I got yet another call to tell me that another good friend of mine passed. To read the blogs of the negative makes me sick. I will say it again, families in these situations need support not negative comments, IF YOU CAN'T SAY ANYTHING NICE DON'T SAY ANYTHING AT ALL!!!!!!!!

I don't understand why everybody thinks the photo of Suzanne crying in her brother's arms is distasteful. It is upsetting to see that, but do we all get mad, or upset with the news when we see a mother crying in her husband's arms when their son or daughter has been killed in IRAQ ? ? ? It just shows that we care for our loved ones.......Suzanne, Jessica, and little "Hammy" you are in our prayers. R.I.P. Hammy we love ya.

Please, how about we all just IGNORE you-know-who, who is just glorying in getting attention for himself. The attention should be going to Hammy and his family and friends.

So now Kleej is a mind reader? Brilliant!

http://gazettextra.com/weblogs/interns/2...

If you people only want to complain about the Gazette, then stop reading it! The grief of such an unfortunate tragic event is just as newsworthy as the rest of the story. It is the reporters responsibilities to report and show all aspects.

My last take on this.
Scenario:
1) You have a wife sitting at at picnic table on a sunny day with her children at a park. All smiles. Life is good.

2) You have a wife crying in her brothers arms because she's overcome with grief due to the recent, tragic death of her husband.

You're a reporter with a camera. Which of the two scenarios would you, the reporter be most comfortable approaching the woman and asking if she would mind getting a picture taken so it can be published in the local newspaper??
I guarantee you it isn't the sobbing woman who lost her husband! Why? Because it's a delicate, personal matter and it would be insensitive on your part to ask. So, like Mr. Lassiter did, he just took it upon himself to decide what was the right thing to do. He wasn't thinking of Mrs. Hamilton or the tragic loss of a good, solid human being! He was thinking of himself and what he could do to put something in the paper that would "catch" the readers eye! I'm not speaking for Mrs. Hamilton. I'd bet if he would've asked her if she'd mind if he snapped a picture of her crying so it could be printed in Tuesday's Gazette, she more than likely would've said, "no thanks".
I respect others opinions regardless of what the professional judges that cast their opinions in here say. I want Mrs. Hamilton to know she is in my thoughts and prayers as are the members of the Hamilton family. God bless everyone.

to the gazette, you done wonderful story on mr. hamilton. i do not know the hamiltons, but i aprreciated on the articles and coverage on mr. hamilton, i know his niece and she says he was wonderful man. because of your articles in the paper i know a little more about him. thank-you

Mark was a very wonderful caring soul who had an impact on me as well as everyone he touched in life. My heart has and still goes out to Suzanne. The motorcycle tribute was great! He was a hog chapter member with a heart of gold. He is missed by all of us.

"A photo of the distraught and grieving wife as the link to the story?"

Yes, there was I time I felt that way... judging people for their beliefs. We don't know what the authorization was to use the photo. Before we condemn people for what they do, we should be more understanding in that maybe they did the right thing and asked those involved for permission.

It is also difficult when it is someone that is a local high profile personality like Hammy.

The pic of Suzanne made me want to wrap my arms around her and give her a heartfelt hug, not go out and buy a stack of newspapers. The coverage of Mark's unfortunate death has been tasteful and I applaude the Gazette for it. They could have quit with one comment from a friend and moved on. Instead, they've included numerous testiments to Mark's caring soul, and his joy for life.

No Kleej, that's opinion...not a judgement and I'm not the ultimate judge. I just thought you were being a jerk. Pretty simple. :)

To whomever said that the Gazette is "soulless"...I think they are quite the opposite. They wonderfully covered a tragedy of loved member of the community, and the photo you're all criticizing is a very moving picture. It shows the support that Mrs. Hamilton has, and the "We Miss You Hammy" sign in the background shows that he was loved by many. Yeah, it sucks that it shows her grief, but I think that's what makes it so special and important.

The Gazette may have made a judgment on the first photo that upset some sensibilities, but for Kleej to call the Gazette and Mr. Lassiter immoral, souless, and garbage media in other posts is absolutely, positively insane. Those comments are the most judgmental of any I have ever had the misfortune of reading.

Kleej continually rails against the media, yet takes advantage of their services, which is paid for by Kleej's so-called evil advertising. How hypocritical.

/done feeding the troll

Irish...The words of judgment I was talking about were against the gazette not Suzanne !!!

maresyann...THANK YOU for the words that I couldn't find !

"I for one thought it was a touching photo."

+1

Freedom of the press is a "Godly" principle. That's interesting.

My heart goes out to Mark's family. I did not know Mark personally but have know Suzanne for many years. Although we were just acquaintances, I feel very strongly for Suzanne, Jessica and Andrew. Suzanne, you will never no life the same after this but you will know that Mark was loved and respected, you can tell this simply by the comments since his death. Jessica & Andrew, take care of each other and your mother in these coming difficult months and know your home town supports you. I personally have experienced the lose of a parent, both in fact and they are always with you. Never miss the chance to tell each other and those you love that you love them.

Those freedoms you speak of were put in the Constitution and were based on Godly principles. Ever heard of that? Core valued principles? They weren't put in place to be compromised like mainstream American's have been taught to do over the past 100 years. Sort of like your comment regarding me as a "jerk". Are you the ultimate judge for people now? You're right about one thing, this is a small issue compared to the many examples of social decline we have out there. However, it doesn't make it okay. Maybe you should put your intellectual prowess to work and start defending the men and women who have died for this country over the years to give us the freedoms we have! We owe it to them to preserve our culture and not allow the foundation of this country to be dismantled by self servers who care nothing about others, only about what's good for themselves.

MARK: Was a very nice person,i haven't seen him in awhile. I met Mark thru his dad Lee,I miss Lee very much too,the apple didn't fall to far from the tree,both of them,would do anything,for anyone. Why God always takes the good ones,i'll never figure that out. MARK WE ALL know where your going ,and if we're all lucky enough,we'll join you some day. R.I.P.

I was in the ride, a friend of the family, and all will have a different take or feeling about this. To me it shows the grief the family as well as hundreds of friends will now have to bear by the loss of a great man who had an impact on many lives. I know a lot of the riders were appreciative to have the coverage of the ride to remember a great friend. Thanks

I for one thought it was a touching photo.

Yet the freedom of the press is part of the constitution. If we want to start approving what can be seen, our society will fall to an even lower level. Nice try on the whole social decline stance, but I do believe this is such a smaller issue compared to the grand scheme of things. At least she has the ability to mourn publicly and own a business and run a life of her own. She is not oppressed by her government, told what she can or cannot do, and has civil liberties. You don't like the press covering such issues, please move to a country where they don't allow any press to cover unapproved events and the dictator/czar or whomever can hand you your rations and daily routine. Oh yeah...and you have the ability to be a jerk online.

maresyann
I choose to not give those publications my money or attention. It's freedom of choice. Just the same, those publications are also a part of the garbage media that are poisoning the minds of people all over the world. One key point I want to make here. This isn't a personal thing here with the Gazette. Overall, I think the Gazette is a very professional publication that serves the public very well. I believe they used very poor judgement in this article. I believe that Mr. Angus and Mr. Lassiter really believe that what they did wasn't in bad taste. That's the problem we face today in our culture. So many people in our communities have been de-sensitized as to what is right or wrong anymore that ignorance becomes accepted as common knowlege in mainstream society. When society loses their sense of direction as to what's right or wrong countries fall apart.

My opinion is that the Gazette's articles and pictures to be a sincere tribute to Mark. Thanks to the Janesville Gazette for honoring him in this way.

Well said mareysann. My heart goes out to Hammy's family and friends. It's obvious he will be missed by many.

Just think about how you people are being...not the Gazette..but yourselves. If TIME magazine runs a story on a horrific event and uses a wife's grief stricken face on the cover, do you mail them a complaint? When you see the same thing in USA today, Milwaukee Journal, Wisconsin State Journal or the television media, are you also quick to be negative and call names? This person is just doing his job. I felt the article paid respect to Hammy...who was a great individual and was loved by many, and of course, will be missed greatly by his wife. When I pass, I hope to have touched at least 1/4 of the lives he has touched. I am sure someone from his and Suzanne's family knew the Gazette was present. If they had an issue with their presence, I am sure it would have been voiced. She was in front of a public place (her and her husbands bar) and they did not follow her into the service and funeral to take these photos. I think they respected her a great deal, mostly by publicly recognizing him in the first place. If you have a complaint, send it to the editor in private. Pay the deceased some respect here in your responses. God Bless you Suzanne and the rest of his family. He was a great man, who had to have had a great woman leading the way.

Nobody was judging Suzanne. The criticism was for the Gazette staff.

Pretty sure no one was judging Suzanne--only "sticking up" for her.

My take on this photo... I'm so HAPPY for Suzanne that she has a brother/family in her time of need.Suzanne needs words of happiness ,not words of judgment!!!

My response is in my blog, which you can find on our home page or link to at: http://www.gazettextra.com/weblogs/edito...

Just shows how souless the media folks are

WT*, Gazette? Seriously.
.
Dan Lassiter or Scott Angus: If that were your wife or mother who had died, would you want YOUR grief stricken photo to be circulated amongst complete strangers?? The beauty of the article and good pictures were completely ruined and negated by one err in judgement. I hope the BOTH of you personally send Suzanne a sympathy card AND an apology.
.
I understand sensationalism sells newspapers. But compassion weighs a whole lot more than some paper with green dye on it.
.
Best Wishes to the entire Hamilton/Steinke family.

A photo of the distraught and grieving wife as the link to the story? Are you kidding, Mr. Lassiter?

How rude and tasteless. I'm surprised you didn't show pictures of Mr. Hamilton himself.

Every day the Gazette is more gossip rag and less news source. With tacky pictures, mangled and misworded headlines and articles and so much other grand showcases of fail.

Mr. Lassiter, you should make a public apology for such a tasteless picture!

Gazette, how distastful to use a picture of Suzanne!!! There is no reason for her picture to be used in this article!!!

Lets ask Sangus why he thinks its ok to profit on someone's grief.

The photo of Suzanne simply illustrates how insensitive and distasteful the Gazette can be.

R.I.P Mr.Hamilton.My prayers and thoughts are with everyone. The gazette doesn't care about peoples feelings...like you said Kleej. They just care about selling the newspaper. Seen it for years!!

Mark I hope you R.I.P you will be missed by all, the turn out monday was huge, I hope they do a tub run in your name and my deepest condolences to the family.

First off, I never knew this man, but, his following tells you alot about the type of person he was. My heart goes out to his family. God bless them. Secondly, SHAME on Dan Lassiter, the gentleman who found it acceptable to take a picture of Mr. Hamilton's widow as she grieves for her husband and saw to it that it's plastered in the newspaper for everyone to see. As I have posted before, this is another example of the dimented media in this world. It's all about sensationalism and selling a newspaper. Compromising someone's privacy for recognition and the almighty dollar!
This woman and her family deserve better than that. Let her grieve on her own terms! She should be entitled to do that without some "vulture" with a camera trying to make himself look good for his newspaper. Have some compassion for the family!