Gerald Hammetter

Gerald Orrin Hammetter, 88, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 21, 2016 after a battle with Dementia at the Heritage Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Port Washington, WI. Jerry was born on July 1, 1928, in Milwaukee, WI. He was the son of the late Orrin and Aldeen Hammetter. He moved to Cedarburg (Historic Hamilton) at the age of 11. He has been a lifelong resident ever since. He built his dream home in 1960 on the banks of Cedar Creek along Lakefield Rd and continued living there until September, 2014. He worked for Bulman Fixtures after graduation, designing and installing store fixtures in Pharmacies and Gift Shops across Wisconsin. In 1966, he decided to pursue his own business and started Creative Store Design. If driving through small communities throughout Wisconsin, and you happen to go into the local Drug Store, you will most likely find store fixtures from Creative Store Design. Other notable stores include Tobin Gifts, Gull Pharmacy and Goodwill Stores were just some that he built. Jerry was an Army veteran of the Korean War and enjoyed many Army-Navy games at the American Legion Hall in Cedarburg. Many friends can recall him playing hardball for the Cedarburg Mercs and how many softball championships did he win playing right field for Mueller Funeral Home. He was a proud baseball coach throughout his kid’s upbringing and was a successful head coach of the Land o Lakes basketball teams in the 1970’s. He was a proud volunteer and honorary member of the Cedarburg Fire Department after he joined on June 4, 1954. Jerry was a funny, loyal, frugal German who loved the Packers, Badgers, Brewers, golf, sheepshead, crabbing in Cedar Creek, peanuts and ginger snap cookies. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Lorraine (nee Helm), sister June (Hammetter) Darkow, son Doug and daughter Colleen (Bloch). Survivors include Sons: Dan, Dick (Beth); Daughter: Jane (Dan Swanson); son-in-law: Eric Bloch, 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, other relatives and many great friends. The family extends a heartfelt thank you and appreciation to all the wonderful caregivers at Heritage Nursing Home in Port Washington for providing compassionate comfort and care to Dad these past few years. A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 12th at 12 Noon at the Mueller Funeral Home & Crematory, Cedarburg. Family will receive friends at the funeral home from 10:00 - 11:45am. In lieu of flowers, memorials to your choice appreciated.