Elmer Hamming was called home to the Lord on November 10, 2015 at the age of 90. Elmer was born in Lynden, WA to Tom and Grace (Berens) Hamming. The family moved to Arlington, WA for a short while and then settled in Oak Harbor, WA where Elmer grew up as one of the 12 Hamming children. Elmer was a lifelong member of the Oak Harbor Christian Reformed Church and it was there that he met a young woman, Henrietta (Etta) Balda. They were married on September 2, 1952 and celebrated 62 years of marriage prior to Etta’s passing earlier this year on January 14, 2015.

Elmer served in the Army during the Korean War and then worked for Western Farmers Co-Op delivering fuel oil until he retired at the age of 55. Elmer was busy in retirement. He enjoyed doing custom field mowing for customers up and down Whidbey Island. Elmer often was seen with his tractor and mower loaded on the trailer behind his latest model of a Pick-up truck, headed to his job for the day.

Elmer and Etta enjoyed traveling. They took trips to Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, and cruised through the Panama Canal. They also enjoyed being “Snowbirds” and taking their RV to the southern United States in the winter for more than 20 years.

Elmer enjoyed the Hamming Family Reunions, and was able to drive himself and attend the recent reunion in Winthrop, WA in late July this year.

Elmer is survived by 3 sisters, Harriet Maginnis, Mary Fuller, Connie (Jim) Matthews; and 3 brothers, Tom Hamming, Gordon Hamming, Moe (Connie) Hamming as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and a large extended family. He was preceded in death by his wife, Etta, along with 3 sisters, Wilma Ekkelkamp, Julie Terpstra, Betty Moore; and 2 brothers, Ken Hamming, Jack Hamming.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 18 from 4pm to 7pm at Wallin Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held at Fircrest Cemetery at 10am Friday, November 20 at 10am with a memorial service to follow at 11am at the Christian Reformed Church with Pastor Randy Beumer officiating.

Memorials may be made to the Oak Harbor Christian School Foundation. Please visit Elmer’s page in the Book of Memories at www.wallinfuneralhome.com to share memories and condolences. Arrangements are entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home and Cremation, LLC, Oak Harbor, WA.

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