Bernard Hammel

Bernard “Bernie” Joseph Hammel, 92, of Champaign, passed away peacefully at 7:00 am on September 1, 2025 at Country Health Care and Rehab in Gifford, after a long battle with dementia.

He was born September 30, 1932, to Jacob and Rozella (Kissel) Hammel in Urbana. He married Mary Ann Mitsdarfer on January 5, 1957, at St. Mary’s Church in Pesotum. Together they celebrated 68 years of marriage and she survives.

Other survivors include his children, Karen (David) Ramsey of Rochester and Steven (Colleen) Hammel of Champaign; his grandchildren, Megan Ramsey of Yukon, OK, Kyle Hammel of Champaign, Lynnette (Ryan) Robertson of Maroa and Kristin Hammel of Chicago. He is also survived by his brother, Richard (Carol) of rural Champaign.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings (George Hammel, Rozella Hardy, Evelyn Jarboe and Ronald Hammel).

Bernie was a 1950 graduate of Champaign High School. He honorably served in the US Army from 1952-1955 in the Military Police. Bernie was a lifelong farmer, he was hardworking and resilient and took good care of the land he farmed. He also raised livestock, including chickens, hogs and cattle. He took great pride in tending to his flower and vegetable garden, which kept him and Mary Ann “busy, busy, busy”, especially during the summer months, canning pickles, a tomato base for chili and more. He often donated some of their home-grown produce to the local soup kitchens.

Bernie was proud to continue the legacy of his father Jacob, who was a founding member of Holy Cross Church in Champaign in 1912. Bernie was a devout Catholic and attended daily Mass as often as he could and served many funeral Masses. He and Mary Ann hosted coffee shop at Holy Cross numerous times, to help the 50 year coffee and donut tradition continue. Holy Cross has always held a special place in their hearts, as Bernie and Mary Ann met at a dance held at Holy Cross School. He often asked his grandkids if they were going to a dance, as it meant so much to him.He was proud of his grandchildren and supported them, whenever possible, at their numerous 4-H, athletic, band and choral events.

Bernie and Mary Ann supported many 4-H activities while their children were involved as teenagers, often hosting events at their home. He and Mary Ann participated in a card playing club for several years. In addition, Bernie served as a fire fighter for the Thomasboro Volunteer Fire Department from 1962-1986; was a long-time member of the Champaign County Farm Bureau, and attended many of their events, including in later years Prime Timers. He also served on the Board of Illinois Farmers Union for several years and as a member of the National Farmers Organization, to help negotiate better prices for crops. In fact, in July 1969 he drove a SC Case tractor, joining 25 other farmers in a tractorcade from Illinois to Washington DC, as part of the Farmer’s Survival Drive, in protest of low crop prices and to raise awareness of the struggles of farmers at the time.

He and Mary Ann were honored as the Illinois Farmers Union Outstanding Farm Family in a ceremony at Ag Day at the Illinois State Fair in August 2005.

Bernie did not know a stranger and was friendly to most everyone he encountered. At family gatherings, it was a common sight to see Bernie behind the camera, taking pictures of family, relatives and friends celebrating their special occasions. Also, back in the day, he had a movie camera and filmed movies of family and friends at special events.

There will be a visitation on Thursday, September 4 from 5-7 pm in the Holy Cross Parish Center (403 W. Clark, Champaign) with the rosary at 4:30. The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, September 5 at 10:00 am at Holy Cross Catholic Church with Fr. Luke Spannagel officiating. Burial will immediately follow at St. Elizabeth Cemetery, Thomasboro. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Cross Catholic Church; Country Health Care and Rehab (2304 County Rd 3000N, Gifford, 61847; or Eastern Illinois Foodbank (2405 N. Shore Dr, Urbana, 61802).

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