John Hammer

John David Hammer, 74, died Sunday night, February 24, 2002, at Augusta Medical Center, where he had been a patient since February 9, 2002.

He was born February 25, 1927, at McDowell, the only son of Winfield and Maggie Varner Hammer. He was a member of McKendree United Methodist Church and was a charter member of the Stonewall Ruritan Club. In 1945, during his senior year at McDowell High School, he entered the Navy where he served for two years. After being honorably discharged, he returned home to farming. For 30 years, he was employed at Barnes’ Lumber Company, now Taylor Ramsey Lumber Company. He was manager there for 27 years. He retired in 1992.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Freda Thacker; two brothers-in-law, Charles Thacker Jr. and Ernest Sweitzer.

Surviving are his wife of 47 years, Vertura (Malcolm) Hammer; a daughter, Patricia Lee Hammer; a son and daughter-in-law, John Maynard Hammer and Kim, of McDowell; two grandchildren, John Brett Hammer of McDowell and Crystal Lindsay of Staunton; two great-grandchildren, Zachary and Patricia Lindsay of Staunton; two sisters, Anna Lee Pullin and husband Ray, of Staunton and Mary Sweitzer of Monterey; two nephews, Ernest Sweitzer Jr. and his wife, Joyce of Monterey and Scottie Siple and his wife, Teresa of Churchville and three great-nephews, Matthew and Lee Siple of Churchville and Steven Sweitzer and his wife, Nancy of Monterey.

Services will be at 2 p.m., Wednesday at Obaugh Funeral home, with the Revs. Dave Boger and Jerry Ginn officiating. Burial will be at McKendree Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Benny Armstrong, Dale Botkin, Noel Hull, Steve Armstrong, David Simmons, David Armstrong, Jim Armstrong and Dick Hiner.

Honoroary pallbearers will be Charlie Siron, Petie Armstrong, Nelson, Jake and Larry Simmons, Frank Pullin, Howard Kelley, Clyde Beck, Bobby Vandevander and friends attending the service.

The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 this evening at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the Highland County Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 268, Monterey, Va. 24465; to the McDowell Volunteer Fire Department Ladies’ Auxiliary, McDowell, Va. 24458; or to the Highland Medical Center, P.O. Box 490, Monterey, Va. 24465.