Joseph Delance Hammer

Joseph D. Hammer of Placentia passed away peacefully in Anaheim, CA on April 20, 2015 at the age of 85, after several months of failing health. Joe was born on Dec. 6, 1929 in Evansville, IN to Joseph A. & Alta Mae (Bobbie) Hammer. His parents divorced when he was very young. Shortly after, his mother remarried Wally Drouin, from which he gained his only brother, John Drouin. As a youngster, Joe played baseball and the clarinet and told tales of being quite the armadillo bounty-hunter while living in TX for a short time. While in high school, his life would forever be changed when he met the love of his life, Peggy Marie Smith. They married in Dec. 1947 when he was 18 and Peggy was 16. Within 5 years, he was the proud father of three children, Mary Diane, Kathleen Ann and Joseph Michael. During their early years as a family, he worked 2 or 3 jobs to make ends meet. Most will remember Joe for his years as a self-employed tax consultant and financial planner. His work ethic and integrity were without question, yet he personally cared for and advised each client as if he were caring for his own financial matters. Many of these clients became life-long friends, as more often than not, half of the appointment was spent catching up on their families every year. How he was in his professional life was also who he was in every day life. He was generous, loyal and loved to tell you a story or two, which often showed his sense of humor and left you wondering how much of it was true! Joe's true legacy in life will always be his love and devotion to his wife, Peggy. Anyone who knew him, knew that his world revolved around her. Always quick to help someone else, he often neglected his own needs. In the end, his big heart simply got tired. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother John and his daughter, Diane. Joe is survived by his wife of 67 years, Peggy, his daughter, Kathy and son, Mike, as well as 9 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, countless friends who were more like family and his beloved dog, Proxy. A memorial mass will be held on Monday, May 18 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Placentia. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Joe's honor to the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org) or the American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org) You will be missed, Joe. You've made a lasting impression on our hearts.