Dennis V. Hamer, age 85, passed away quietly on April 5, 2024. He was living happily near his grandchildren in Long Beach, Miss., at Summerfield Retirement Community.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Letta (Mintun) Hamer; brother, Virgil Hamer; sister, Darla (Hamer) Huebner; daughter; Deena Hamer; son, Shane Hamer; grandson, Jakob Hamer; and his granddaughter, Danielle (Vanderheiden) Hugeback. Survivors include his son, Dion Hamer and wife Denise; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brother, Gerald Hamer (Texas); and many very, very special nieces, nephews and cousins.
Dennis was born in Pisgah, February, 1939 to Letta and Vernon Hamer. He started school there in 1944, attended Missouri Valley and Muscatine, and graduated from Schleswig High School in 1956. That same year Dennis joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in San Antonio, Texas where his brother Gerald was already serving. He was sent to Metz, France in 1957, and also toured in Landsberg, Germany. He was then stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Fla. where he was honorably discharged in August 1960, with the rank of Airman 1st Class.
Dennis married Mary Ellen Schroeder in December of 1958. To this union were born Deena, Shane, and Dion. He spent his years as an over-the-road truck driver, first hauling grain for his father’s company. He spent many years as a lead salesperson for Carroll Crouse Cartage and retired in 2004 from Sunbuilt Boats of South Carolina with an astonishing four-million-mile legacy.
Dennis was a hopeless romantic. He loved to dance and sing in the church choir. He regularly provided transportation and ran errands for his elderly friends and neighbors and was notorious for his fancy cowboy attire and trying to win the lottery in each state he passed through. He especially loved his family far and wide and looked forward to his yearly fishing trips with his brothers, nieces, and nephews.
Arrangements are being held by Hennessey Funeral Home in Missouri Valley. A small, military-honored, graveside service will be held for family at Soldier Valley Cemetery, Pisgah.
