John Hammer

JOHN J. HAMMER age 85, beloved husband for 62 years of Carol (nee Code); loving father of John J. Jr. (wife Cheryl), Timothy (wife Karen), Deborah Gladish (husband Michael) and M. Cathleen Harris (husband Danny); devoted grandfather of Elizabeth, Kevin (wife Allison), Cassandra Orsini (husband David), Gregory, Stephen and Kristen Gladish, Caroline and Allison Harris; cherished son of the late Alfred and Magdalene (nee Rohner); dearest brother of Madeline Cox (husband Richard, deceased), George (wife Maryellen, deceased), Daniel (wife Anne, deceased) and the late Alfred (wife Geraldine, deceased), Leo (wife Rita, deceased), Mary Monroe (husband Richard), and Barbara Horner (husband John); dear uncle and great-uncle of many.

John was born on June 12, 1931 in Cleveland and passed away on March 29, 2017. He was a resident of Lyndhurst since 1967 and a member of the Church of St. Clare where he was a cantor and a Eucharistic Minister. John was commissioned a 2^nd lieutenant and was promoted to 1^st lieutenant and served in the U.S. Army. He was a member of Legend Lake. John graduated from St. Ignatius High School in 1949 and John Carroll University in 1953. He was the owner/operator of Hammer Wine Company. John loved Severance Hall and plays at Playhouse Square. He enjoyed golf, crossword puzzles and bowling. John loved to cook and fiddle in the kitchen. He loved the Browns, Indians and Cavs. John enjoyed traveling especially to Maui, Hawaii and loved going on cruises. He will be remembered most as a storyteller and loved to tell jokes. John was a generous, giving, outgoing, positive and strong man of great faith. John loved his family and friends.  He will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of John to Greater Cleveland Food Bank 15500 S. Waterloo Rd., Cleveland, OH 44110.

Cremation by DeJohn Crematory. Relatives and friends are invited to meet for the Mass of Christian Burial Saturday, April 1, 2017 at 10:30 AM at St. Noel Catholic Church 35200 Chardon Rd., Willoughby Hills. Private burial at All Souls Cemetery. Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of John immediately following the Mass at the COMMUNITY ROOM in THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF WILLOUGHBY HILLS, 28890 CHARDON ROAD (between Bishop Rd. and Rt. 91).