Mary Jane Hammer, age 71, of Elmwood, formerly of Hanna City, passed away Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at 10:02 a.m. surrounded by the love of her family after a long private battle with bladder cancer.
Jane was born on September 19, 1952 to Lee and Mary (Beamer) Lopeman. They preceded her in death.
She married Larry Hammer on September 22, 2017 after a 20 year courtship. He passed away September 14, 2022.
She is survived by two children: Leslie (Chad) Gavelys and Christopher Zeglen and three grandchildren: Carissa, Carmen and Carter Gavelys, two step-children: Lawrence Hammer, and Andrew Hammer. She is also survived by her siblings: Patrick (Jennifer) Lopeman, Susan (Ted) Sarver, Linda (Katsumi) Matsui, John Lopeman, Nancy Lenox, and several nieces and nephews.
Jane started her career working at the FBI in Washington, D.C. and eventually returning back home to settle down and start a family. She last worked as a Senior Administrative Assistant at Martin Financial Services.
She was a Corvette enthusiast from an early age as she loved that “I can’t drive 55 feeling”. She enjoyed Bradley Basketball and Chicago Bears football, but her biggest team were grandkids playing as Farmington Farmers.
She loved concerts with family and friends and enjoyed crocheting and quilting.
She loved fiercely and always put others before herself. She will be deeply missed by all.
Funeral services will be Friday, Dec. 29, 2023 at 2 p.m. at the Davison-Fulton Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home in Peoria. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services.
Committal service will take place at Princeville Township Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Compassus Hospice, 799 N Henderson, Galesburg, IL or BYE Ambulance Service.
