Marcella Rose Hammer

She was born in Sulfer Lick, Kentucky on February 4, 1941, she had two brothers, Maxwell and Ricky, and they lived on their parent’s farm where she spent her youth. Marcella went to White School, a one-room schoolhouse, where her mother was the teacher. She often had to run after the school bus with her breakfast in hand—a piece of fried chicken—because she had to milk the cows before school. Marcella didn’t have to look far to find the love of her life, Harlie, because he grew up in the same county. They started dating in the late 1958 and married on December 24, 1960.

Marcella and Harlie shared a deep love for one another. They spent 54 years side-by-side. First here in Indy, then on their Kentucky farm, where they lived for a year before moving back to Indiana. You could find them together everywhere; at the bowling alley, where they played competitively for many years; and in the car going many places, including Red Lobster for their weekly Saturday night dates or Shipshewana, Indiana, where they spent weekends listening to live gospel and bluegrass music.

She spent her adult life in Beech Grove, Indiana, (47 years) where she and Harlie raised their three children, Cathy, Alan, and Janet. Marcella retired from RCA (BMG) in Indianapolis, Indiana, and served as a supervisor for 22 years. She eventually decided to work at Kohl’s, so she could get even bigger discounts on clothes for her grandchildren (and ‘occasionally’ herself). Marcella loved to shop!

She showed her love and affection in a number of ways—most notably in the kitchen. Marcella was a food pusher; no one ever left her house hungry and often took leftovers with them! Fan favorites included her fried potatoes, homemade cornbread, and her always-spicy spaghetti meat sauce, which was enjoyed by the entire family EVERY Friday night for more than 40 years. Marcella always had a specific kitchen drawer that was full of candy bars and treats, and she always had Tootsie Rolls in her pocket—just in case.

She is survived by her dedicated and adoring husband and best friend, Harlie; brother Ricky; three children Cathy Blackstad (husband, Mark), Alan Hammer (wife, Carla) and Janet Lane; seven grandchildren, Tabitha (husband, Jason), Justin (wife, Kristin), Amy, Aaron, Bradley, Dylan, and Alex; and nephew Tim (wife, Amber).

Services will be held at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7 at Little & Sons Funeral Home, Beech Grove, Indiana. Family and friends may call from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, April 6.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Little Star Center for Autism at LittleStarCenter.org/donate.

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