1919
Keith
2014
Keith Hamrick
April 5, 1919 — September 23, 2014
Earl Keith Hamrick, age 95 years of Niles, Michigan died at 4:20 p.m. on Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at West Woods of Niles following an extended illness.
He was born on April 5, 1919 in Dickens, Iowa to Alvin and Harriett Rose (Shannon) Hamrick. He came with his family to Niles in 1926, and was graduated from Niles High School in 1938. He has lived here most of his life and – with his wife – was one of the longest continuous residents of the Oak Manor neighborhood. He was first employed in the former Tyler Refrigeration plant in Niles.
In 1941, he was drafted into the United States Army Air Corps and quickly moved through training in aircraft armoring to become an instructor. He served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, and continued to serve several tours of duty. MASTER SERGEANT EARL KEITH HAMRICK, USAF, RETIRED was a veteran of World War II, the Korean Conflict, and the Viet Nam Era.
Back in Niles, Keith began a career in sales at the former Williams Brothers Supply, eventually retiring from the Williams Home Center in 1989 after twenty years of service.
Keith was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Niles. As a Thirty-second Degree Mason, he was a member and Past Master of the Saint Joseph Valley Lodge #4, F. & A. M. and a member of the Grand Rapids Valley Scottish Rite Consistory. He enjoyed woodworking and flower gardening.
On April 30, 1944 in Denver, Colorado he married the former Mary Ellis Jackson with whom he celebrated this year the highly remarkable Seventieth Anniversary of their wedding.
Surviving family includes his wife, Mary Hamrick, and their children, Terry James (& Diana) Hamrick of Indianapolis, Indiana, Ronald Keith (& Alida) Hamrick of Burke, Virginia, and Randy Lee (& Beverly) Hamrick of Charlotte, Michigan; grandchildren Jeffery Neal (& Anna) Hamrick, Abby Jo (& Philip) Goldsmith, David Harold (& Jennifer) Hamrick, Morgan Ann (& Brian) Doane, Brandon Joshua Hamrick, and Ashley Kristin Hamrick; six great-grandchildren; and Keith’s siblings Arline Wegenka, Robert Hamrick, and Elma Gentry; and many nieces and nephews.
Family will receive friends and relatives at the First Presbyterian Church from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Services for Keith Hamrick will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 3, 2014 at the First Presbyterian Church in Niles with the Rev. Fran Lane-Lawrence of the church officiating. The service will conclude with Flag Presentation by the United States Air Force Honor Guard. Committal will be in the Columbarium of First Presbyterian Church.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Keith may be made to The Foundation of the First Presbyterian Church.
He was born on April 5, 1919 in Dickens, Iowa to Alvin and Harriett Rose (Shannon) Hamrick. He came with his family to Niles in 1926, and was graduated from Niles High School in 1938. He has lived here most of his life and – with his wife – was one of the longest continuous residents of the Oak Manor neighborhood. He was first employed in the former Tyler Refrigeration plant in Niles.
In 1941, he was drafted into the United States Army Air Corps and quickly moved through training in aircraft armoring to become an instructor. He served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, and continued to serve several tours of duty. MASTER SERGEANT EARL KEITH HAMRICK, USAF, RETIRED was a veteran of World War II, the Korean Conflict, and the Viet Nam Era.
Back in Niles, Keith began a career in sales at the former Williams Brothers Supply, eventually retiring from the Williams Home Center in 1989 after twenty years of service.
Keith was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Niles. As a Thirty-second Degree Mason, he was a member and Past Master of the Saint Joseph Valley Lodge #4, F. & A. M. and a member of the Grand Rapids Valley Scottish Rite Consistory. He enjoyed woodworking and flower gardening.
On April 30, 1944 in Denver, Colorado he married the former Mary Ellis Jackson with whom he celebrated this year the highly remarkable Seventieth Anniversary of their wedding.
Surviving family includes his wife, Mary Hamrick, and their children, Terry James (& Diana) Hamrick of Indianapolis, Indiana, Ronald Keith (& Alida) Hamrick of Burke, Virginia, and Randy Lee (& Beverly) Hamrick of Charlotte, Michigan; grandchildren Jeffery Neal (& Anna) Hamrick, Abby Jo (& Philip) Goldsmith, David Harold (& Jennifer) Hamrick, Morgan Ann (& Brian) Doane, Brandon Joshua Hamrick, and Ashley Kristin Hamrick; six great-grandchildren; and Keith’s siblings Arline Wegenka, Robert Hamrick, and Elma Gentry; and many nieces and nephews.
Family will receive friends and relatives at the First Presbyterian Church from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Services for Keith Hamrick will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 3, 2014 at the First Presbyterian Church in Niles with the Rev. Fran Lane-Lawrence of the church officiating. The service will conclude with Flag Presentation by the United States Air Force Honor Guard. Committal will be in the Columbarium of First Presbyterian Church.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Keith may be made to The Foundation of the First Presbyterian Church.
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