Jack Leroy Hammond of Dunkirk, Indiana passed away at the age of 88 at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, Indiana on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 following a very short and sudden illness. Jack was born in Muncie, Indiana on September 19, 1932 to the late Benjamin Franklin Hammond and Edna Madeline (VanNatter) Hammond.

Jack graduated from high school and became a carpenter for R.C. Keller, where he worked for 65 years. He was a 60-year member of Carpenters Local 1016, Muncie. He married Mary Jane Ratcliff on May 6, 1952, only 3 weeks after meeting her. He planned to recover and get back to his sweetheart of 69 years. They were happily married for 68 years. His first love was his Lord and Savior, whom he served by teaching in his local church for 49 years. Mary was second only to his Savior, and he wanted to be sure that she was the last person who was going to be okay with him passing. He loved his wife and four sons, but he was a stern man. He provided for his family and provided a home that was second to none in love. He was a lifelong hunter and fisherman with his childhood friend, Jack Tobias. They hunted and fished together for over 40 years. His main hobby, reading the Bible, was his driving force in life. His personal goal was to read it through twice a year, which he had done for over 30 years. He would never let an opportunity slip by to tell someone how the Lord saved him and gave him hope for this time in his life. He will be sorely missed by his wife and two sons, along with his grandchildren, great great grandchildren, and his church family and friends. He left this life that had provided many medical miracles and gave praise to the Lord for being able to reach the age of 88 years.

Jack is survived by his wife, Mary Jane (Ratcliff) Hammond; sons, Charles Duane Hammond (wife, Cathy Sue Hammond) and Jeffery Ward Hammond; daughter-in-law, Mary Lou Hammond; grandchildren, Michelle, Melissa, Benjamin, Jason, Jessica, Adam, Travis, Taran, Dustin, and Jeremy; twenty-three great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; and fifteen nephews and nieces.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin Franklin Hammond and Edna Madeline (VanNatter) Hammond; sons, Stephen Alan Hammond and Jack Franklin Hammond; and sisters, Mabel Heatherly, Eula May Schroder, and Phyllis Van Huesen.

Visitation will be held on Monday, April 26, 2021 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM in the First Free Will Baptist Church, 12369 W 600 W, Dunkirk with funeral services immediately following at 1:00 PM, also in the church. Burial will follow in I.O.O.F Cemetery, 400 North, Pennville. Please contact the church or cemetery for possible COVID-related limitations. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Garden View Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.gardenviewandgardensofmemory.com .