Gerald E. Hammer

Gerald E. Hammer

Gerald E. Hammer, 86, of Annawan, IL, passed away on Thursday, March 22, 2018, at Unity Point-Trinity in Rock Island, IL. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, at Concordia Lutheran Church in Geneseo. Reverend Stephen Mueller will officiate. Burial will follow at the Annawan Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday, March 26, from 5:00-7:00 p.m., at Vandemore Funeral Home & Crematory, Atkinson Chapel. Memorials may be directed to Concordia Lutheran Church, Annawan/Alba Rescue Squad, or Girl Power 2 Cure (Rett Syndrome Research).

Gerald was born on November 18, 1931, the son of Grant and Erna (Boysen) Hammer, in Sterling, IL. He married Neta L. Morgan in 1950. She preceded Gerald in death in 1966. Gerald was later united in marriage to E. Luetta “Lou” Yearian on December 4, 1971, in Annawan, IL. Lou preceded him in death in 2012. Gerald was a grain and livestock farmer in rural Dixon for 20 years. Following his farming career he worked for Morton Buildings in Atkinson for ten years. Gerald was employed at the former Case IH, from which he retired. After retirement, Gerald worked for Wyffels Hybrids in Atkinson for 20 years. Gerald was a member of the Concordia Lutheran Church in Geneseo, NRA, and Ducks Unlimited. Gerald enjoyed fishing, hunting, and camping.

Those left to cherish his memory include his children, Vickie Hoogerwerf, Annawan, Dyann (Greg) Wancket, Annawan, Sheryl (Leon) Bennett, Galva, John (Kay) Hammer, Kewanee, Steve (Tammy) Tinsman, Honorsville, AL, Dave (Kathy) Tinsman, Wichita, KS, Renee Tinsman-Dean, Lacrescent, MN, and Keith Tinsman, Avon, IN. Gerald is also survived by 29 grandchildren, 57 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and by a sister, Lorraine (Jim) Lowe, Lena, IL.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, Grant and Erna, two wives, Neta and Lou, three grandchildren, a great-grandson, a son-in-law, a brother, and a sister.