❤ CHARLES MARION HAMM ❤
★✯★ World War II Veteran, US Army ★✯★

─══ ✿ڰۣڿ✿ Biography ✿ڰۣڿ✿ ══─

Charles Marion Hamm was born in Stanford, Indiana, on 11 January 1924 to Joseph and Lillie Hamm. He was the eighth of thirteen children. At the time of his birth his father was 50 years old and his mother was 32.

In 1930, Charles was 6 years old and still living in Stanford with his parents, three brothers and five sisters.

Growing up his family worked very long hours and they worked hard on their farm. Most of the boys quit school early in order to bring in extra income to help support the family. Charles quit school after the eighth grade so that he could help his father work the farm.

In 1940, still living in Stanford, 16 year old Charles was living with his parents, five brothers and two sisters.

On 1 February 1943 Charles joined the United States Army. He fought at Normandy and at the Battle of the Bulge (Ardennes) and was awarded the Bronze Star and several ribbons.
 
While stationed overseas on 28 February 1944 Charles received a telegram from home which simply read: "Your mother died this morning. Notify Wilfred." I remember the day my Dad gave me the actual telegram. Fifty years had since passed, but his eyes teared up and I remember the reverent manner in which he held that piece of paper. As of this writing it is still in my possession.

After his service in World War II, and being honorably discharged, Charles returned home to Indiana. He began working in the automotive industry in Indianapolis. In his spare time he would either help out on the family farm or spend time hanging out with his friends. One night while hanging out at Joe's Skating Rink he noticed a little red-headed firecracker. Just like in the movies he turned to his buddy and said, "I'm gonna marry that girl someday." His buddy exclaimed, "She's jail bait!" And she was. Marilyn was nine years his junior. But he was patient.
 
After a couple of years Marilyn was allowed to go on a date with Charles. After that they were never apart for very long. However, one night it seemed there might not be a wedding after all. Charles was late picking Marilyn up for a date one night. They were going to have dinner with Charles' father, Joseph. One the way an argument ensued and by the time they reached Joseph's house, Marilyn stormed out of the car, took her engagement ring off and threw it in the bushes and started walking back towards town. Joseph heard all the commotion and went outside. Joseph was a quiet man. He never spoke harsh about anyone. But that night he told his son, "You probably shouldn't marry that girl. She's a handful."
 
They did get married on 2 February 1952, in Monroe County, Indiana. At the time of their marriage Charles had just recently turned 28 years old and Marilyn was 18 (soon to be 19). After their marriage they moved to Solsberry, Indiana. Charles was still commuting to Indianapolis and Marilyn was a housewife.
 
They waited six long years before welcoming their first child, Stephen Nelson Hamm, who was born on 1 July 1958, in Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana. A little less than two years later they welcomed a daughter, Katina Lynn Hamm, who was born on 8 March 1960. It was at this time, before Katina was born, that they purchased a house and 24 acres on State Road 46, just outside of Ellettsville, Indiana. In fact, while Marilyn was giving birth to Katina, Hazel, Marilyn's sister, and Charles were moving the family into their new home. Later, they welcomed me into the family.
 
Charles had since began working at Westinghouse in Bloomington. He stayed there until he retired. He was a hard worker, both in his profession and at home. He passed on to all of his children his strong work ethic and integrity. He taught us to be self-reliant and to be honest in all of our dealings.
 
Charles passed away, in all honesty, probably just like he would want, on his land that he loved. He died on 25 August 2001 at the age of 77. He had a hard life, no doubt, but his greatest heartbreak was losing his two children. Many of his co-workers told us that after losing his son, and then his daughter, he was never the same. I am not the same after losing him.
 
He is buried, among family, in Valhalla Memory Gardens in Bloomington, Indiana.

This biography was written by GenealogyByBrenda.

─══ ✿ڰۣڿ✿ Obituary ✿ڰۣڿ✿ ══─

Obituary From:
Bloomington Herald Times
Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana
Monday August 27, 2001

Charles M. Hamm, 77
Jan. 11, 1924 – Aug. 25, 2001

GOSPORT – Charles M. Hamm, 77, of Gosport, died Saturday at his residence.
 
He was retired from Westinghouse. He was a veteran of the United States armed forces.
 
Survivors include his wife, Marilyn (Bryant) Hamm; one daughter; two sisters, Mary Koontz of Sun City, Ariz., and Alice Hall of Illinois; and one brother.
 
Services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Day Mortuary. Burial will be at Valhalla Memory Gardens.
Friends may call 4 – 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Living individuals' names have been redacted for privacy and to comply with Find-a-Grave guidelines.

If you are copying the obituary, please give proper credit to the newspaper AND that the obituary was copied from the Find-a-Grave Memorial.

─══ ✿ڰۣڿ✿ Census Summary ✿ڰۣڿ✿ ══─

● 1930 US Federal Census. Charles is 6 years old and he is living in Van Buren Township, Indiana, with his family. Living on Kirksville Road in Stanford, his father, Joseph, is 49 years old and works as a laborer. His mother, Lillie, is 38 years old. Other siblings living in the household are: Matilda, 20 years old; Wilfred, 16 years old; Freda, age 14; Lucy, age 12; Elmer, age 10; Mary, 8 years old; Rodney, 4 years old and Ruth, age 2.
● 1940 US Federal Census. Charles is 16 years old and was in school. The family was living in Van Buren Township, Monroe County, Indiana, on Beard Road. His father, Joseph, was 58 years old and working as a laborer. Lillie, his mother, was 47 years old. Other siblings within the household include: Wilfred, age 23; Elmer, age 20; Rodney, age 14; Alice, age 12; Lloyd, age 11 (Lloyd is listed as a son, but she was a girl.); Mattie, age 8 and Joseph, age 5.
● 1950 US Federal Census. By the 1950 Census, Charles had returned from his time serving in the Army during WWII. He was living with his father and brothers in Van Buren Township, Monroe County, Indiana. He was 26 years old.

─══ ✿ڰۣڿ✿ Fur Babies ✿ڰۣڿ✿ ══─

Cricket Lee, Rescued in 1976 - 1986.
Almost Claniece, 1983 - 2000.

─══ ••●•• ❤ In Memory ❤ ••●•• ══─

─══ BKD ღ♥ღ BKD ══─
This memorial was completed by GenealogybyBrenda, to include a biography, newspaper articles, census information, notes, photos and other documents to honor this family member. The biography, census summaries and notes (if any) were written by Brenda Davidson. All photos are from the personal collection of GenealogyByBrenda unless otherwise stated.
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─══ BKD ღ♥ღ BKD ══─

Last Updated: 02/04/2024, 1950 Census summary added; minor formatting changes made.