The Rev. Edward S. Hammett, 85, passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2015, in Somerset, PA after a long illness.
In his final days, he was uplifted by the many members of the Somerset community who came to visit him, some even bringing him his famous "Grandpa" candy which he had so readily handed out for years wherever he went.
Born on August 2, 1929, in Pittsburgh, PA, he was the son of Dr. James M. and Mary Hunter Hammett. On August 30, 1952, he married Virginia Bashforth, a blessed union of nearly 60 years until her passing in December, 2011. On May 25, 2013, he married Claragail Winklevoss, the widow of his life-long friend, Donald Winklevoss.
Rev. Hammett was a graduate of Washington and Jefferson College, Washington, PA. After serving in the U.S. Army, during the Korean War, he was employed in the business office of Bethlehem Steel Company until he was called to the Lord's service as a minister with the United Methodist Church. A graduate of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, he held a master of divinity degree. He was licensed to preach in 1960 and fully ordained in 1964.
Rev. Hammett began his ministry as a pastor at churches in Coulter and Lowber. After his ordination, he served United Methodist Churches in McKeesport, Harrison City, Uniontown, Fairview, McMurray, Charleroi, and Davidson/Scenery Hill. After retiring, he served as visiting pastor for the Trinity Lutheran Church, Somerset. He and Virginia cherished the friendships made in each of the churches he served.
Surviving, besides his wife, Claragail, are his four children and their spouses: Karen and David Dempsey of Mount Lebanon, Edward and Dorothy Hammett of Granby, CT, Kimberly and Robert Farrell of Lee Center, NY, and Elizabeth and Harold Elkins, Huntsville, AL; 13 grandchildren, Erin (Steve) Heirendt, Kevin (Ashley) Lensie, Heather Farrell, Emily (Devin) Durham, Robert Farrell III, Justin Hammett, Stephanie (Josh) Remling, Jonathon Elkins, Shannon Farrell, Jacob Elkins, Abigail Elkins, Sarah Elkins, and Isaac Elkins; seven great-grandchildren, Caden and Kylee Lensie, Blake Elkins, Mia Remling, and Katlyn, Luke and Hanna Heirendt; a brother, James (Ruth) Hammett; and a sister-in-law, Lois (Duane) Davis; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends received 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday at the Hauger-Zeigler Funeral Home, Somerset, 494 W. Main St., Somerset, PA 15501, and on Saturday one hour prior to the 10 a.m. service at Trinity Lutheran Church, 918 Tayman Ave., Somerset, PA 15501 with the Rev. Linda McElroy Thomas officiating. Interment Round Hill Cemetery. Contributions in Rev. Hammett's memory may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church.