Virginia Hammer

Jacqueline “Virginia” Funke was born on March 30, 1924, in Oakland, California, to Christian “Henry” Funke and Ruth Esther Funke (née Richardson). She was the youngest of three girls. Virginia passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 10, 2025, at the age of 100, fulfilling her goal of reaching a century.

Virginia’s father passed away when she was three years old, leading to financial hardship. At a young age, the girls would take care of the animals. Virginia had jobs in the vineyards irrigating and packed fruit for 10 cents a tray at Barr’s Packing. She grew up in the country and learned to swim in Fancher Creek. She was strong and unafraid of hard work.

In November 1946, her mother, who was a nurse at General Hospital located at Kings Canyon and Cedar Avenue; she would often have breakfast with a young man named Evan after her night shift at the waffle shop across the street. She told him about her beautiful daughter, Virginia. They met and went out for a date that same day and every night after until they married on May 20, 1947.

Evan Hammer worked for his uncle Earl, who owned Evan’s Electric. His uncle passed away in 1957. Evan and Virginia purchased the business from Earl’s widow, Marie. Through sacrifice and hard work, Evan and Virginia expanded the business to three locations, opening stores in Sacramento and Bakersfield. They traveled the world together.

Virginia sang in the choir at St. James Episcopal Cathedral for over fifty years. She also sang at weddings and funerals with her beautiful operatic voice. She was president of the Fresno Emblem Club four times.

Virginia and Evan had four children: Evan Jr., Douglas, Jacqueline, and Ruth. Tragically, Ruth was never released from the hospital due to a birth injury. Virginia was a dedicated mother and would make the drive to Visalia to visit Ruth nearly every day for five years until Ruth’s passing.

Virginia cherished her family and was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. She is preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Ruth; her sisters, Ruth Elizabeth “Betty” and Marion; daughter, Ruthie; and husband, Evan.

She is and will be deeply missed by her family and all those who loved and cared for her. She was our family’s beautiful matriarch.

Virginia and Evan have five grandchildren: Evan Hammer III, Joscelyne Atwood, Ashly Wherry, David Pashayan, and John Pashayan; five great-grandchildren: Klaus Hammer, Kassady Camacho, Colt Atwood, Lily Atwood, Taelyn Wherry, and Kenzi Wherry. Virginia was also blessed with many nieces and nephews.

A visitation for Virgina will be held Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at 12:00 pm until 4:00 pm at Lisle Funeral Home, 1605 L St, Fresno, California 93721. Celebration of Life will occur Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at 10:00 am, Lisle Funeral Home. Interment at Belmont Memorial Park, 201 N. Teilman Ave, Fresno, California 93706.