Henry Bishop Hammer

Henry Bishop Hammer, age 74, of North East, MD died on Sunday, November 16, 2008. Born in Big Stone Gap, VA, on November 26, 1933, he was the son of Russell and Myrtle Jones Hammer. Mr. Hammer served his country for 13 months in Korea as a Military Police Officer. He received an Honorable Discharge on June 27, 1962 as a Corporal. Mr. Hammer was employed by Southern States for 31 years before becoming a self-employed plumber. He was active in serving his community throughout his life. He was chairman of the North East Water Festival for 13 years. He took great pride in serving as a member of the North East Lions club for over 40 years. He served the Lions as President twice and was appointed as Vice District Governor. He received the distinction of the prestigious Melvin Jones Award for dedicated Humanitarian Service and received a Lifetime Membership in 2007. He took special interest in the Leader Dog program for the blind and the promotion of vision screenings for our children of school age. Mr. Hammer enjoyed going out to dinner, traveling, sports, and the love of his family, especially his grandchildren. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Janet "Sis" Hammer. Additionally, Mr. Hammer had three sons, Henry "Butch" Hammer Jr. of North East, MD and his wife Cindy, of Elkton, MD, David Hammer and his wife, Beth of Glen Allen, VA, and Daniel Hammer and his wife, Jenni, of Elkton, MD. Mr. Hammer is also survived by three brothers, James Hammer and his wife, Ann of Rising Sun, MD, Doug Hammer and his wife, Nancy, of Bel Air, MD, and Donald Hammer and his wife Beth, of Albany, NY. He is survived by two sisters, Mary Evans, of Oxford, PA, and Shirley Dean and her husband, Paul, of Nottingham, PA. He is survived by his brother-in-law, Richard Isaacs of North East, MD. In addition, he is remembered by his many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Most fondly, Mr. Hammer is survived by 6 grandchildren, Brandon Hammer, of Elkton, MD, Felicia and Emily Hammer, of North East, Emma Hammer, of Glen Allen, VA, and Luke and Katy Hammer of Elkton, MD. Family and friends may visit 6PM-8PM on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at Crouch Funeral Home, 127 South Main Street, North East, MD. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 11:00AM at Crouch Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Leader Dog for the Blind care of Crouch Funeral Home.