Claire Ann Hammer

Claire Ann Hammer was born August 3rd, 1935 to Alice Lyons and John Mainville in Chicopee, Massachusetts. Her mother married Stephen Wajda when she was young and he was a loving stepfather who raised her along with younger sister Carol (Verdi) Spears and brothers, Alan and Gary Wajda. Shortly after graduating from Chicopee High School she met her husband, Robert Hammer of Fremont, Ohio at a roller skating rink. Robert was serving in the Air Force at Westover Air Force Base at the time and they married on August 8th, 1953. After his discharge in 1955, they moved to Lindsey, Ohio where they remained for 49 years. Never a driver, Claire loved walking around the village to visit friends and family, sell Avon, stop at Randolph’s grocery store, or collect the mail at the post office.

She and Robert raised their four children, Robert (Eileen) Hammer Jr., Gail (David) DeFrance, Randy (Lisa) Hammer, and Bradley Hammer on Lynn Street in Lindsey. Besides selling Avon, she worked numerous holiday seasons at Montgomery Wards and was a playground supervisor at Washington Elementary. In 2004, she and Bob moved to Brookview Drive in Fremont.

In her later years, Claire enjoyed Bingo, working on board puzzles to decoupage and gift. She and Bob played many games of marbles and cards with various friends, particularly liked “quarters” with the grandkids, and for many years enjoyed camping in an RV. Garage sales though were a favorite pastime where she loved a good bargain or treasure, especially costume and vintage jewelry and depression glass. She sat through many of her kids’ and grandkids’ sporting events and famously shouted “go, go, get that ball.” Her biggest heartbreak was the loss of her youngest son, Bradley Allen in 2010. Life is never the same… She and Bob though were blessed with nine grandchildren and 20 great grands who filled their calendar with events and graced their refrigerator with pictures. “Gram” to some, “Nana” to others, and even “Grammy Hammy” will be missed and remembered most notably for her plentiful candy and snacks at every visit.

Claire is preceded in death by her husband on August 7th of this year, her parents, sister, in-laws Lurrene and Wilson Hammer, son Bradley Hammer, brother-in-law, John Hammer, sisters-in-law, Nancy and Alberta Hammer, and great grandson Daxton Guhn. She is survived by her other children, her two brothers, brother-in-law, Donald Hammer of Georgia, and grandchildren Heather Demorest of Plain City, Rob (Amy) Hammer of Grafton, MA, TJ (Diana) Hammer of Antwerp, Ellen (Marc) DeFrance Taub of Worthington, Aaron (Leah) Hammer of Fremont, Kristen(Michael) Guhn of Clyde, Rachel (Dustin) Dinan of Oak Harbor, Marcus Hammer of Toledo and Audra Hammer of Bowling Green. Great grandchildren are Briley and Max Demorest, Bobby, Lily and Keegan Hammer, Haley, Aubrey, Tyler and Kirsi Hammer, Madelyn and Macy Hammer, Aubriel Garza, Marisa, Kenzlie, Avery and Wrenleigh Guhn, and Skylar and Payzlie Dinan.

Claire lived the past seven months at Alpine House of Fremont where she made many sweet friends. We are grateful to them, Jenny, Ron, and her favorite aides for the kindness shown. The Heartland Hospice team, especially Morgan and Shelly, were tireless advocates and educators as we navigated her failing health the past couple months. Thank you also to Valley View where the excellent staff cared for Claire most recently as she transitioned home to Jesus.

Services will be held on Monday, October 27th at 2:00 p.m. at Wonderly Horvath Hanes Funeral Home, 425 E State St., Fremont, OH with visitation from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Lindsey Cemetery after the service.

Memorials may be made to either Heartland Hospice, 907 W. State Street, Fremont, or Washington Township Trustees (memo: cemetery fund), 3647 C.R. 106 Lindsey, OH 43442.