John "Jack" Hamel

John "Jack" Hamel, a lifetime resident of LaSalle County, died peacefully at IVCH surrounded by his loving family on January 10th, 2018 at the age of 92.

It was Jack’s wish to be cremated and not have funeral services. The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life at a later date. The Hurst Funeral Home in La Salle is assisting the family.

Jack was born in LaSalle, Illinois on June 27th, 1925 to Jan and Harriet Mae Hamel and grew up in Troy Grove, IL.  In 1943, at the age of 18, Jack was drafted into the U.S. Army where he specialized in Artillery (Communications). He was honorably discharged in 1946. After the service, Jack worked for Chicago Northwestern Railroad for fifteen years. In 1959, he began working at Manley Brothers Silica Sand pit in Troy Grove, Illinois. After 30 years at Manley Brothers, Jack retired in 1989.

Jack served as a Red Coat at IVCH in Peru for seventeen years, where he accrued 3,600 volunteer hours. He was a lifelong, die hard Chicago Cubs fan and was featured on the Wrigley Field big screen for his 90th birthday, which made him very proud. He loved to follow his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in all of their sporting events. Jack was a talented woodworker and polka dancer. He never met a stranger and always had a joke to share with them. It was in his nature to greet everyone with a hug.

Jack is survived by his wife of 68 years, Rosemary (Thompson) Hamel. Together they have four children: Donald Hamel of Hallettsville, TX, Douglas (Lori) Hamel of Dekalb, IL, Diane (Bill) Hoscheit of Four Seasons, MO, and Dennis Hamel of Creston, IL. He also has a brother, Roger Hamel of Princeton, IL. Jack has fourteen grandchildren and twenty-six great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Maxine Hamel.

Condolences and memorial contributions can be directed to the family at 2307A Prospect St. Peru, IL 61354 or may be made, in Jack’s honor, to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

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