Obituaries, April 22, 2024

Written on 04/22/2024


Ronald Lee Hammack

Ronald Lee Hammack, 82 of Tipton and formerly of Kempton died Saturday, April 20, 2024, at The Waters of Tipton. He was born in Sheridan, Indiana, the youngest child of Eliza and Esther (Mann) Hammack.

Ron retired from Delco Electronics in Kokomo after 27 years of employment. He was best known for his over 50-year career as the owner and operator of Hammack’s Tree Service. He was a hard-working man, extremely strong as he tended to his arbor business. In his down time, he enjoyed watching the Colts, often a NASCAR race, and even the Cubs as their season progressed. If you knew Ron, he could be described as “a collector of all things.” He greatly loved his dog, Jack, and took him everywhere. He was a regular at the Jim Dandy, meeting friends for coffee every day.

Survivors include his children, Renee Grimme (Mike) of Tipton, Virgil Gross (Louann) of Kokomo, Davina Burns (Frank) of Kokomo and Chuck Hammack of Beaumont, Texas. His grandchildren include Kelsey (Dylan) Reagan, Seth Grimme, Brandy (Mark) Shelly, Jacob (Heather) Johnson, Whitney (Joe) Arbuckle, Sarah and Libby Gross and Patrick Corwin. He has several great-grandchildren.

Ron was preceded in death by a son, Danny Gross, and siblings Lois Riddle, Florence Reagan, Bryon Hammack, Forrest Keifer Hammack, William Elza Hammack, Francis Hammack and Wilbur Hammack.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, at Young-Nichols Funeral Home with Rev. Larry Simms presiding. Burial will follow at Kempton Cemetery. Visitation will also be on Thursday from noon until service time.

Memorial donations may be made to the Tipton County Humane Society, P.O. Box 237, Tipton, Indiana, 46072.



Joe Wampler

On April 19, 2024, the world lost one of the most empathetic individuals to have ever lived. Joe Wampler was a kind man with a precious spirit. He never spoke bad about anyone. He was born on 12/24/1942 and entered Heaven on 04/19/2024.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his three children, Steve (Chris) Wampler, Stephanie Wampler and Joe David Wampler. He loved his 5 grandchildren, Brody Wampler, Morgan Koon, Mattison Floyd, Joseph Wampler and Kate Combs. He also loved his 3 great-grandchildren.

He retired from the Chrysler Casting plant after working there for 30 years. More often than not he could be found standing in a river fishing for crappie, catfish, salmon or walleye. David Snavely, Mark Hood, Tim Hood, and James Miles were his close fishing buddies. He was a lover, not a fighter, and was loved by everyone that knew him. He was a humble man that lived a life of thanksgiving for the goodness God had shown to him. Joe had repented, been baptized in Jesus’ name and received the Holy Ghost. He was a Christian.

The greatest thing he leaves behind is not some material thing he left to those that knew him, but rather it is what he left in those that knew him. As those of us on earth said, “There he goes” Heaven said, “Here he comes.” On April 19 he took his last breath on earth and his first breath in heaven.

There will be a celebration service in honor of Joe Wampler on April 28, 2024, at Grace Apostolic Ministries, 616 Touby Pike, Kokomo, Indiana 46901. The family will receive friends from 2:30-3:30 p.m. The actual service will start at 3:30 p.m.