Mary A. Hammer Obituary
Mary A. Hammer, 77, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her son and daughter-in-law at Woodland Terrace Assisted Living in St. Joseph on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Born April 14, 1940 in Lima, Ohio to John and Judy Seggerson, the seventh of nine children, she was the only girl.
Growing up with 8 brothers lead to having 8 amazing sisters and countless nieces and nephews. Mary fondly bragged about having a large loving Irish Catholic family. She graduated from Lima Central Catholic High School, Class of 1967 and from International College in Fort Wayne with an Associates Degree in 1969. After raising her boys, Billy and Jimmy she moved to St. Joseph. Mary was proudly employed by Plante Moran in St. Joseph, until her early retirement on May 23, 2014. At which time she accepted her greatest role as Fulltime Grandma to her 3 loves, Ellie, Maggie & Kylie, who were gifted to her by her daughter-in-law, Meredith. Grandma Mary enjoyed taking her girls on adventures to many parks, shuttling them and their friends anywhere and everywhere. Mary enjoyed many hobbies, including board games particularly scrabble, car games her favorites being hearts & euchre and collecting miniature thimbles & beanie babies. She was also an avid sports fan, sharing a love for the Cincinnati Reds with her Father, watching the Fighting Irish Football and a love for LCC basketball that her brother Bob served as Head Coash of. Mary never missed a little league game, a soccer match or a gymnastics meet. She was the most compassionate caring friend always there to lend her support. Mary was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Joseph. She volunteered for many years at Hospice at Home, Relay for Life and the Silver Beach Carousel. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Family and Friends will gather at St. Rose Catholic Church, 222 S. West St., Lima, OH, at 10 am on Monday May 18, 2026 to honor Mary. Followed by Catholic Mass with Fr. David M. Ross officiating at 11 am. Immediately after mass a short graveside service will take place at Gethsemani Cemetery in Lima, OH. Memorial donations in Mary’s name may be made to Gentiva Hospice, Portage, MI www.gentivahs.com or Alzheimers & Dementia Research www.alz.org. Local arrangements are entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel, St. Joseph. Those wishing to sign Mary’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Mary is survived by her two sons-William “Bill” (Sophie) Hammer of Auckland, New Zealand with their children Jerry & Cindy, James “Jim” (Meredith) Hammer of St. Joseph and their girls Ellie, Maggie & Kylie; six brothers-John (Kathy) Seggerson, Ed (Karen) Seggerson, Richard (Barb) Seggerson, Bob (Janie) Seggerson, Tim (Shirley) Seggerson, Larry (Ruth) Seggerson; two sisters-in-law Sharon & Connie Seggerson; and numerous nieces & nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers-Art & Pat Seggerson and her beloved mother-in-law Rosie Hammer.
