Submitted by: Dan Rich

Charles A. Hammes

Sept. 24, 1925 - April 8, 2006

South Bend Tribune 4/12/2006                                      

Charles A. Hammes, 80, of South Main Street, Mishawaka, passed away on Saturday, April 8, in his home. Charles was born on September 24, 1925, in Gary, Indiana, as the son of the late Charles and Clara (Umlor) Hammes. He was preceded in death by four brothers, George, Peter Joseph, Leo and John; two sisters, Marie and Hildegard Hammes.

On September 18, 1954, in Mishawaka, he married the former Vera Capelli, who preceded him on November 26, 2003. Left to cherish his memory are a daughter, Gloria Griesinger of Greenwood, IN; a son, Tony Hammes of Indianapolis; three sisters, Martha Shafer of Elkhart, IN, Clara Kovacs of Selinsgrove, PA, and Sister M. Carlita Hammes, C.S.C., of South Bend; two brothers, Henry E. (Patricia) Hammes of Elkhart and Fred J. Hammes of South Bend. Also surviving are two grandchildren, Rachel Griesinger of Chicago, IL, and Benjamin Charles Griesinger of Greenwood, IN.

Charles was a crew supervisor for NIPSCO for 39 years before he retired in 1983. He was a veteran of the United States Army, serving his country proudly during WW II. Charles was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mishawaka, the KofC, Mishawaka, American Legion, and the Elkhart Model Railroad Club since 1960. He was a good man, loving and caring, and always enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren whenever he could.

Family and friends visited Tuesday, April 11th, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th Street, Mishawaka, where a Rosary was recited at 3:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 a.m. today, April 12, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mishawaka, with Rev. Robert Yast officiating. Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola, IN.

Memorial contributions may be made in Charles' name to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 225 S. Mill Street, Mishawaka, IN 46544; or to the Diabetes Association of St. Joseph County, United Health Services, 711 E Colfax Avenue, South Bend, IN 46617.