Ralph E. Hammer, 85, of rural Tiffin, passed away at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo on June 3, 2012.

He was born on October 28, 1926 in Kansas, OH to Lewis and Theresa (Depinet) Hammer. He married Luella B. Kern on March 15, 1948 in Angola, IN.

He is survived by his wife Luella of 64 years, three sons, Butch (Barb) Hammer of Findlay; Ralph (Choe) Hammer of Tucson, AZ; Gary (Mary) Hammer of Vail, AZ; a daughter, Lois (Tom) Shultz of Rising Sun; a brother, Richard Hammer of Tiffin; two sisters, Viola (William) Klaiss of Bettsville, Ohio and Delores Tong of Upper Sandusky, Ohio; seven grandchildren, Mark and Lisa Hammer, Joseph Hammer, Gary Hammer II, Doug Shultz, Fred Hammer, Angela DuBois, 18 great grandchildren and 1 great great granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, Joseph James Hammer; grandson, Jeffrey Shultz; seven brothers, Larry, Anthony, Edward, John, Garold "Jim", Charles and Franklin; and three sisters, Mary Tiell, Lucille Burdette and Matilda Nye.

Ralph served in the United States Army Air Corp. in WWII servicing planes and vehicles. He served in the Pacific Theater. He managed the Maple Grove Elevator for Tiffin Farmers for 32 years. He farmed his entire life and enjoyed woodworking. Ralph loved playing with all the grandkids and great grandkids.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, June 8, 2012 at St. Andrew Catholic Church, Bascom with Rev. Frank Murd officiating. Burial will follow in St. Andrew Catholic Cemetery with military honors being conducted by the United Veterans Council.
Friends may visit with the family from 4-8:00 P.M. on Thursday, June 7, 2012 at Hoffmann-Gottfried-Mack Funeral Home & Crematory, 236 S. Washington St., Tiffin, Ohio 44883, (419) 447-2424. A Rosary will be prayed at 8:00 P.M.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

Letters of condolence may be sent and the guest book signed at www.hgmackfuneralhome.com.