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Obituaries

Donald Charles Hammond

Donald Charles Hammond, age 70, of Hastings, passed away Saturday, November 12, 2016 at home. Donald was born June 7, 1946, in Hastings, Michigan; the son of Orville Herman and Georgia Mae (Rickle) Hammond. 

 

Donald attended country school at Doud, Hinds, Hastings Middle School and Hastings High School, graduating in 1964. Shortly after graduation, Donald was drafted into the Army. He proudly served his country in Vietnam 1966 - 1967 where he sustained a severe back injury being hospitalized at several overseas locations before being transferred to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington D. C.. Donald was honorably discharged in 1968 coming home in a full body cast. He earned the rank of Specialist E-4 and he received many medals: the Air Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic Vietnam Campaign Medal with device 1960, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Sharpshooter (Rifle M-14).

 

After returning from Vietnam, Donald was employed with John Rodgers Construction and worked for Lester Monica. In 1970, Donald was employed at the United States Postal Service in Hastings, as a City Letter Carrier (Mailman). Donald retired after thirty one years - four months of dedicated service in 2000, the first ever recipient to receive the highest Postal Service POTS (Part of the Solution) Award designed to honor employees with exemplary service. His job of City Letter Carrier required him to walk an average of fifteen miles a day. Donald never missed a day of work.

 

Donald was raised on the family farm in Hope Township where he learned respect for the land and a solid work ethic. He was involved in FFA in high school. Donald enjoyed hunting, fishing, and traveling to his cabin up north. He carried on the family tradition of celebrating July 4th (his father’s birthday after he passed away) for the family members. He really enjoyed the family and loved his nieces, nephews. He called them his children. Donald was a life member of the Delton VFW Post 422 and a life member of the NRA.

 

Donald is survived by Bessie Easey, his life companion of thirty nine years, two sisters: Shirley (Robert) Case and Irene Lake of Hastings, a sister in law: Marie Hammond, several cousins, nieces and nephews, and he loved his cats. Donald was preceded in death by his parents, a brother: Claude Edison Hammond and a brother in law: William A. Lake.

 

Donald’s family will receive friends Tuesday, 2:00 - 4:00 and 6:00 - 8:00 PM at the Williams-Gores Funeral Home, Delton; where Donald’s funeral service will be conducted Wednesday, November 16, 2016, 11:00 AM, Pastor Steve Olmsted, officiating. Burial will take place in Cedar Creek Cemetery will full military honors. A memorial luncheon will follow at Pleasantview Family Church. 

 

Memorial contributions to Barry Community Hospice or Pleasantview Family Church will be appreciated.  Please visit www.williamsgoresfuneral.com to sign the guest book, share a memory or to leave a condolence message for Donald’s family.

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