James E. Hammer

April 3, 1936 - June 20, 2009
SOUTH BEND - James E. (Jim) Hammer, 73, residing in South Bend, passed away at 5:19 a.m. Saturday, June 20, 2009 in his home. Born, Edward James Hammer, on April 3, 1936 in South Bend, the son of Frederick B. & Loretto (Williams) Hammer, and has remained a lifelong resident. He was baptized and was a long time parishioner at St. Joseph Catholic Church. He graduated from Central Catholic High School in South Bend. He served his community as a South Bend Police Officer for 32 1/2 years, retiring in 1995 and worked for the St. Joseph County Police Department for six years after his retirement. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police #36, and served for 32 years with Notre Dame Football Security. He was a huge Notre Dame fan. In 1955 in Highland, IN, Jim was united in marriage to Patsy Ann Rich. He is survived by his loving wife Patsy of 54 years, along with three daughters, Cheryl (Terry) Stahl, Colette (Jim) Russell all of Mishawaka, Patricia Suzanne Hammer of South Bend'; five sons, F. James (Michelle) Hammer of Granger, Mark (Marilyn) Hammer of Osceola, Bryan (Maribel) Hammer of Angeles City, Philippines, Robert (Lisa) Hammer of South Bend, and Michael (Alison) Hammer of Mishawaka. He is also survived by twenty-six grandchildren: Joseph and Matt Russell and Carreen Brown (Cedric) of Mishawaka, Christopher (Heather) Hammer of Chicago, IL, Aimee (Ben) Smith of Granger, Nick Hammer of Indianapolis, Brooke (Brett) Mitchel of Nappanee, Adam Hammer of Indianapolis, Kelsey Hammer of Osceola, Bryan, Britney, Gretchen, and Christian Hammer of the Philippines, Sara and Robby Hammer of South Bend, Brandon, Adam and Molly Stahl of Mishawaka, Michael, Gracie and Nate Hammer of Mishawaka and including five great-grandchildren, Ireland, Cayden, Kegan, and twins, Max & Lila. Two brothers Thomas (Joan) Hammer of Encino, CA, William (Joan) Hammer of Brazil, IN, sisters-in-law, Mary Jane Hammer of South Bend, and Shirley Hammer of Granger, brothers-in-law, Robert (Sharon) Rich of Novi, MI and Gary (Nancy) Rich of Berkley, MI and many nieces and nephews as well as special family friends, Al and Susan Henry of Trenton, NJ. He was preceded in death by his parents, a granddaughter, Heather Anne Hammer on July 24, 1999, and a brother, Patrick Hammer. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 2, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, South Bend. Graveside services and burial will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery, on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. The family will receive friends from 3:00 -7:00 p.m. today, Wednesday, July 1, at the Palmer Funeral Home-River Park, 2528 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend. Expressions of sympathy on behalf of Mr. Hammer may be offered to the Heather Hammer Memorial Scholarship for Marian High School c/o : the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County - 205 W. Jefferson Blvd. Suite 610, South Bend, IN 46601.