Abbi Hamilton is remembered as an enthusiastic, encouraging young woman who loved to be outdoors and with friends and family.
The 23-year-old senior interpersonal communication major died in an ATV accident in Orland, Ind., on Saturday night. Two others were injured during the accident.
The ATV struck a log in a swampy area about a quarter mile south of State Road 120, west of Orland, according to KPC News. The Department of Natural Resources said the crash happened around 11:20 p.m. Saturday.
Her older brother, Christopher, said she had the kind of personality that could light up a room.
"She was outgoing and never knew when to stop," he said. "She was full of life."
Hamilton was the youngest of three children. Christopher, 33, said she had the typical personality of the youngest child: spunky, outgoing and likable.
He was with her when the accident happened. He said they were with a group of 30 people who had gone out riding after a friend's birthday party.
"It all backfired," he said. "It didn't go the way it should have."
Senior Amy Yount, who had a class with Hamilton, said her cheery personality was contagious. She remembers one night in particular when they were playing pool, and Hamilton came around the table to give her a hug after winning the game instead of rubbing it in her face.
"I'm usually a poor loser, but she came up and gave me a hug," Yount said. "She was like, ‘I'll give you a rematch.' That's just typical Abbi."
Hamilton seemed to be the life of the party and the catalyst that brought people together.
Yount said one night after a big final exam, the girls went out to the Village with classmates from their communication studies class. She said everyone got to see a different side of each other, and Hamilton encouraged them to take pictures that night.
"It wouldn't have been the same without her," Yount said.
Yount usually sits by Hamilton in their class. She said any class Hamilton was in will start to feel empty this week.
"She made you feel like you were the most special person alive when you were talking to her," Yount said.
Senior Sheri Niekamp said Hamilton was the kind of person who became everyone's friend. Thinking back to the night at the Village last year, she said Hamilton was "the piece to our puzzle."
"Comm studies is a family," Niekamp said. "We really come together, in hard times or happy times."
She said the accident hit classmates hard, and they spent much of Sunday night calling and checking up with each other. Niekamp said they're thinking of ways to commemorate Hamilton during graduation. Ideas include wearing ribbons or decorating their caps.
Beth Messner, Communication Studies department adviser, said Hamilton will be missed in the department. Messner said Hamilton was an enthusiastic young woman and very good at establishing rapport with people and was well-suited for her major.
Messner said a candlelight vigil is being planned for midweek to commemorate her passing, and a Facebook page was made in her honor titled "Abbi, We Miss You."
Hamilton touched a lot of people's hearts in the department, Messner said.
"She left a fairly large gaping hole in our hearts," Messner said.
The funeral is 11 a.m. Wednesday at Weicht Funeral Home in Angola.
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