James Earl "Big Daddy Sledge" Hammers

James Earl Hammers, a navy veteran, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones at Barnes Hospital, January 26, 2009. He was of the Christian faith having been baptized in Johnston City. Mr. Hammers worked at Precision Steel in Chicago for many years before moving his family to West Frankfort. Mr. Hammers along with his four sons, turned around a failing business and successfully ran Hammers & Sons Tire from the mid seventies and it still is servicing West Frankfort today. He spent many years officiating, umpiring and coaching the youth of Elk Grove Village and West Frankfort Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents Ernest Hammers and Nellie Irvin Hammers, brothers Willard, Dean and Elmer Hammers, and son Lance Hammers. Surviving are his wife Virginia of West Frankfort, sons James (Carolyn) of Murphysboro, Illinois, Gary (Julie) of La Salle, Illinois, John Hammers and Tawnya Hammers of West Frankfort. Grandchildren Ryan Gordon, Tim Hammers Tricia (Hammers) Mudge, Nick Hammers, Marissa Hammers, Heather and Vince Hammers. Great grandchildren Molly Jo Mudge and Griffin Gary Hammers, brothers, Lindberg (Berna) and Leon (Vivian) Hammers both of West Frankfort, sisters, Sonia (Jack) Fitzpatrick of Benton IL, Barbara Puckett of Christopher IL, Lela Anthony of Logan IL, and several loving nieces and nephews. As his last request his body was donated to Washington University School of Medicine for medical research. A memorial service will be held at the Logan Church of God in Logan, Illinois at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2009. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Church of God in Logan. This obituary provided as a service of Parker - Reedy Funeral Home in West Frankfort. www.parkerreedyfuneralhome.com..