Michael W. Hammer, 72

Michael W. Hammer, age 72 of New Hampton, died Friday, Feb. 7, 2020, at the New Hampton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
A visitation for friends and family will be held from 4 - 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, 2020, at the Hugeback - Johnson Funeral Home and Crematory in New Hampton, where there will be a 6:30 p.m. Prayer Service.
Michael Wiwn Hammer was born on April 11, 1947, in Pennsylvania, the son of Mary (Harris) and Herman Hammer. Mike received his education in Tioga Center, New York. Mike enlisted into the United States Army and was deployed to Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
Upon returning to the States he began working for a large national construction company. Mike would spend several months working on a project until its completion, and move on to the next project. Mike had a project in Des Moines and on the way he went through New Hampton. That evening he met Joanne Melver, and it was love at first sight. They were married on May 4, 1975, in New Hampton. To this union, three children were born.
Mike and Joanne decided to settle and raise their family in New Hampton. Mike began his career driving semi-truck. He worked over the road on long hauls. It was not uncommon for him to only spend one month out of the year at home with his family. He sacrificed missing many important events in his family’s lives to make sure they were well taken care of.
Over the course of his 40-year truck driving career, Mike drove a truck through the 49 continental United States and logged millions of miles throughout the United States. Mike was meticulous about his truck always making sure it was in good running order and properly cleaned.
Mike knew as an over the road trucker that time with his family would be limited. So he made the most of the opportunities he would get. Spoiling his children and grandchildren always maximized the time he would spend with them. Family was the most important to Mike and the reason he made the sacrifices he did.
Mike is survived by his wife, Joanne Hammer of New Hampton; three sons, Cory (Ashley) Hammer of New Hampton, Shawn Hammer of New Hampton, Thomas Hammer of New York; one daughter, Cody Anne (Les) Schilling of Nashua; seven grandchildren, Gatlin Anderson, Brian Hammer, Lewis Schilling, Shaye Zubrod, Megan Schilling, Bliss Hammer, and Abigail Hammer; two great-grandchildren, Evee and Skylar; one brother, Frank Hammer of Texas; sister Hazel Hammer of New York.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Ellsworth Hammer; sister, Joyce Gochenaur.