David L Hammond

David Hammond, age 58 of Appleton, passed away February 8, 2014 at Appleton Medical Center, following a brief but courageous battle with illness. Dave was born in Appleton on August 9, 1955, son of the late Clark and Helen (Pelky) Hammond. He was a 1974 graduate of Appleton West High School, and that same fall began working at Miller Electric. He remained at Miller for 40 years until his health failed. On Valentine's Day of 1975, Jean Vaughan became Dave's wife, and together the couple has enjoyed thirty-nine years of marriage, and was blessed with two children.

Dave enjoyed spending time with friends fishing, hunting, throwing darts or watching NASCAR or football.

He is survived by his wife: Jean Hammond of Appleton; two children: Lee (Angelee) Hammond of Appleton and Crystal (Leo) Valdez of Menasha; four grandchildren: Veronica, Jose, Maria, and Victoria Valdez; four brothers: Donald (Elonda) Hammond of Appleton; Ed (Jane) Hammond of Appleton; Roger Hammond of Stephensville; Clark (Betty) Hammond of Greenville; a sister: Shirley Willems of Appleton; and a special aunt: Selma Krueger of Appleton. He is also survived by Jean's family: her mother: Rosemary Vaughan of Neenah; and her siblings: Margaret (Al) Martin of Milwaukee; Mary (John) Belmore of Neenah; Ella (Erb) Metko of Appleton; Betty (Boyd) Hertzfeld of Appleton; Grant (Cathy) Vaughan of Texas; Diane (John) Mooney of Menasha; Danny Vaughan of Neenah; and a brother-in-law: Duane Ritschke of Oshkosh. He also leaves behind his dear friends Lulu Wanta and Eddie Reitzner and his dog Oskar. Dave was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Joan Ritschke and Betty (Don) Luedtke; a sister-in-law: Vicki Vaughan; a brother-in-law: Bert Joseph Vaughan; and his father-in-law: Grant Vaughan.

The funeral liturgy for Dave will be held on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 10:00 AM at ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH, 410 W. Lawrence St. with Fr Jim Leary, OFM. CAP officiating. A time of visitation will be held on Wednesday from 3:00 until 7:00 PM at the Wichmann Funeral Home, Superior Street Location and on Thursday from 9:00 AM until the time of the service at the church.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.wichmannfargo.com. The family would like to thank the nurses on the eighth floor at Appleton Medical Center and Miller Electric for everything they have done. In lieu of flowers a memorial is being established in his name.