Herman Walter Hammond, 87, passed away on March 15, 2012. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 19, 2012 in the Decatur Church of God with Dr. Robert Brink officiating. Friends & family will be received from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 18 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to either Teen Challenge or the Decatur Church of God. The following obituary was penned by Herman himself. Herman Walter Hammond, born to Matilda (Koenig) & Walter R. Hammond on the 28th day of April 1924. 5 brothers, Roy (deceased at early age), Edward L., Paul E., Donald & Gerald are all deceased. Herman grew up loving to play sports primarily baseball in fact expected to play in the Major Leagues, enjoyed it so much he played until 71 years old in a slow pitch league. Herman joined the U.S. Marines in Dec. 1942 & served till early Feb. 1946. Married Mable Jean Chilcote on Sept. 29th, 1945. Jean was his school mate in the 7th & 8th grades. They had 5 children 4 boys and one daughter came later. A jewel Herman always said. David L., Gary W., Ronald L., Gregory A. & Debra R. Loved his children very much, taught them to serve and love the Lord Jesus. Herman worked in the fruit & vegetables business long hard hours to provide for his family. After marriage Herman & Jean became very active in the Decatur Church of God serving in various positions. Taught Sunday school for 48 yrs. Served on the Board of Trustees for 20 yrs, sixteen as chairman 4 as treasurer. Was teacher and youth leader of young people for several years. Herman served on the Coordinating Council for 12 yrs, head usher for many years, was the visitation chairman for the elderly. Served on Y.F.C. board for 20 yrs. Had a home study group, the Vine & Branches, for some 20 yrs. He and Jim Borchers started a community mens prayer meeting breakfast that was in force for several years. Herman was active in the community filling pulpits for pastors when they were gone, showed the Jesus Factor film of Teen Challenge in several counties & churches. Herman led the Wednesday evening prayer meetings monthly for Pastor Bevers, Burnett, Johnson, & Kenneth Mishler; also made some of hospital visits. Herman loved his Lord and shared with many on how they could know him too, he believed in keeping on until that final day. Praising God for all his blessings even in times of suffering because he knew some day he would be free of pain & suffering, a new body, he was very confident that no grave was going to hold him down, he would rise again. In later years after failing health due to arthritis stood on Romans 8: 17-18. Looked forward to that new painless body.
