Phillip L. Hammitt

Phillip L. Hammitt, 79, Berne, passed away Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018, at Adams Memorial Hospital. He was born in Hartford City Sept. 19, 1938, to the late Taylor and Sarah (Burnworth) Hammitt. Sarah later married Edmund Woodruff. Phillip married his high school sweetheart, Bonnie Dague, Oct. 6, 1956, in Berne; she survives.
In 1966, he graduated with the last class from Jefferson High School, where he played basketball and ran track. He served in the U.S. Army National Guard and was a member of Mount Hope Church of the Nazarene. He and Bonnie had a passion for Work-n-Witness ministries, both local and abroad. Their excursions  included ministries trips to Jamaica, the Azores and Honduras.
He was employed by Habegger Builders and Swiss Haus of Camping for 15 years, Micro Precision for 27 years. Phil had a passion for farming and was known for his ability to fix anything. His hobbies included pony pulling competitions, fishing, watching NASCAR racing and spending time with family.
Among survivors are a sister, Sally (Larry) Parmon of Advance, Indiana; sister-in-law, Merle Hammitt of Jacksonville,Florida; daughter, Beth (Mike) Steury of Berne; three sons, Kinley (Rhea) Hammitt of Berne, Curt (Rene') Hammitt of Corunna, Indiana, and Craig (fiancee, Katie Hefher) Hammitt of Indianapolis; 19 grandchildren, Jenna (Adam) Langston and Colton Steury; Vincent and Cassie Hammitt; Noah, Elly, Branson, Shiloh, Jacie, Carsten, Molly, Zayne, Grace, Davyn, Tori and Rylan Hammitt; Eric (Laura) Hammitt and Cieara (David) Wengerd; and five great-grandchildren, Dylan Langston, Laithon, Blaikly and Emmitt Wengerd; and Abigail Cress.
He was preceded in death by his parents and step-father; and one brother, David.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Mount Hope Church of the Nazarene, with Pastor David Cox officiating. Internment will follow in the Willard Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m. Friday at Yager-Kirchhofer Funeral Home, and one hour prior to services Saturday at the church.
Preferred memorials are to Juvenile Research Foundation &/or Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Online condolences may be made at www.yagerkirchhofer.com.