Merlin K. Hammer

Hammer, Merlin K. Age 74, of Waterford, passed away peacefully with his family by his side at Zilber Family Hospice, in Wauwatosa, on April 23, 2013. He was born in Cochrane, WI, the son of the late Marvin and Eva Hammer. He was a 1956 graduate of Cochrane High School. Merlin married Mary Catherine "Kate" Ganka on May 27, 1961. He received his Bachelors and Masters degrees from UW Eau Claire. He was a teacher and basketball coach for 4 years while living in Fall Creek, WI. In 1964 Merlin and Kate moved to Waterford and have been residents there ever since. Merlin taught at Waterford Union High School for over 30 years before retirement. He would spend the school year teaching and the summer painting, and enjoyed lasting friendships that evolved from both. While with the Waterford School District he was a coach, timer and scoreboard keeper. He was a captain on the Waterford Fire and Rescue department and a member of the Jaycees. He served terms on the Waterford Graded School Board with two terms as clerk. His family fondly remembers him to have a quick wit and a firm handshake. Merlin's hands have written, built things, held babies and grand-babies, gardened, mowed, scraped, primed and painted, and have prepared grilled goodness on the patio. His hands lovingly held his wife for better than half a century. His were the hands of a man of giving, not of getting. Today the good Lord took this good man's hand, opened his arms, and welcomed him into his presence "Welcome home Merlin, welcome home." Merlin is survived by his loving wife, Kate; children, Will (Lisa) of Wind Lake, WI; Steve (Cheryl) of Toledo, OH; Beth Hammer of Wauwatosa, WI; Fritz (Susie) of Endeavor, WI; Jack (Lori) of Mauston, WI; Cathy Hammer of Tucson, AZ; Ed (Sef Moore) of Milwaukee, WI; and Jane (Kevin) Kershasky of Waukesha, WI; grandchildren, Megan, Abbie, Sara, Matthew, Jessica, Anna, Rachel, Greg, Nathan, Grace, Ruth and Joe; step-grandsons; sisters, Emily Brommer of Nelson, WI; Goldene (Orville) Helwig of Independence, WI; and Marie (Duane) Hund of Fountain City, WI; sister-in-law, Margaret "Moe" (David) Dobkoski; brother-in-law, Bob (Ann) Ganka and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandson, Josh; sister, Sandy; mother and father-in-law, Robert and Miriam Ganka; sister-in-law, Mary Fran Winrich and brother-in-law, Glen Brommer. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 26, 2013, at 11:00 AM, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 307 South First Street, Waterford, WI. Visitation in Church on Thursday, April 25, from 4-7 PM, and again on Friday from 10-10:45 AM. Burial in St. Thomas Cemetery following Mass on Friday. The family suggests memorials to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul or the St. Thomas Aquinas Building Fund. Mealy Funeral Home Waterford, Wisconsin 262-534-2233 www.mealyfuneralhome.com