Virgil Frank Hammer, 91, of Festus died Jan. 20, 2017, at Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City. Mr. Hammer was a supervisor with AmerenUE and served as chief of the Jefferson R-7 Fire Protection District for more than 20 years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and liked to hunt and fish. Born April 21, 1925, in St. Louis, he was the son of the late Harry and Mary (Basler) Hammer. He was preceded in death by his wife: Katherine (Shrum) Hammer.
He is survived by a son: Steve Hammer of Festus; two daughters: Judy (Terry) Turner of Carrollton, Texas, and Jayne (Manjit) Misra of Aimes, Iowa; a brother: Odis Hammer of Bloomsdale; 12 grandchildren: Joy, Maria, John, Jason, Michael, Jacinta, Jessica, Jayna, Patrick, Megan, Seth and Abigail; and seven great-grandchildren: Carver, Evelyn, Luca, Sean, Shayde, Simone and Jillian.
He was preceded in death by two daughters: Barbara Hammer and Karen Hammer; a grandson: David Turner; and one great-grandchild: Noah McCatty.
A funeral service was held Jan. 23 at Mahn Twin City Chapel in Festus, officiated by Deacon Jerry Stoverink. Burial was in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Crystal City. Arrangements were under the direction of Mahn Twin City Chapel.