FARMER CITY — Jesse S. Hammer, 90, Farmer City, passed away at 1:07 a.m. Thursday (July 28, 2011) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.
A celebration of life will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the United Methodist Church, Farmer City. The Rev. C. Don Ferrill will officiate. In the spirit of the celebration, please wear casual summer attire. The family will receive friends after the service. Calvert-Belangee-Bruce Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Central Illinois Chapter, 606 W. Glen, Peoria, IL 61614; www.alz.org/ilcen
tral or contributions may be sent to the family who will pass them on to the local VFW and American Legion.
Mr. Hammer was born May 31, 1921, in Decatur, son of Jesse and Margaret Thommassen Hammer. He married Donna Hammitt on June 4, 1944, in Waynesville. She passed away May 26, 1997.
Survivors include his daughter, Valli C. Hammer, Champaign; three grandsons, John R. (Leigh) Runner III, Zackary Jesse (Ken-Yu) Runner and Devin B. Peithmann; four great-grandchildren, Sean, Trey, Cody and Logan Runner; and a special soul friend, Mary Lou Beggs, Farmer City.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Elizabeth Gardner.
Jesse attended Onarga Military School for high school and was a member of ROTC at the University of Illinois. He graduated with a degree in accounting and was a member of the Psi Upsilon fraternity. Mr. Hammer was an Army veteran of World War II and was awarded the Bronze Star.
He was a choir member of the United Methodist Church, a member of the Masonic Lodge 710, Farmer City Kiwanis, Peace Meals and served as an alderman. Jesse was a charter member of Fred O’Malley Post 6190 VFW, and member of Joe Williams Post 55 American Legion. He loved music, singing and enjoyed playing the organ, trumpet and harmonica.
Jesse owned the family grocery business that was 100 years old this year.