John M. Hammer

John M. Hammer, 88, passed away at his home in Rockford, IL on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. Born on March 8^th of 1936 in Rockford, IL to parents John H. and Ida M. (Olson) Hammer. John graduated from West High School in 1954 and soon after met the love of his life, Virginia, at a grocery store they were both working at. They wed on October 7, 1956, and welcomed three children into the world. John was dedicated to both his family and to church at United Lutheran, where he was a member. He was an avid reader and a Chicago Cubs fan. One thing he was known for was feeding the neighborhood stray cats, always keeping a bag of food on hand to keep them coming back. John will be remembered by those who loved him as a kind and soft-spoken man, who was dedicated to anything he put his mind to. 

John is survived by his three children; John R. (Janace) Hammer, Peter (Kathleen) Hammer, Thomas (Jennifer) Hammer, grandchildren; Jessica (Patrick) Pacula, John R. Hammer (Bethany Noslrac), Nichole (Tyler) Crown, Sandy (Joseph) Herrera, Alison Hammer, Amanda McGuire, Jeremy McGuire; numerous great-grandchildren; and his cat, Bella. He is predeceased by his wife, Virginia, parents, and siblings; Iris (Frank) Watts of Renton, WA, Peggy (Casey) Schwichtenberg of St. Peter, MN, June (Bob) Runyard of Rockford, IL, and Frank (Shirley) Hammer of Rockford, IL. 

A visitation for John will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2024, from 10:00 through 11:00 a.m. at United Lutheran Church, 3630 N. Rockton Ave., Rockford, IL, 61103. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. Final resting place will be at Willwood Burial Park. To send online condolences and share memories, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com.