Eugene Floyd Hammond

COLDWATER, Mich. — Eugene Floyd Hammond, 66, of Rindge, N.H., formerly of Coldwater and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, passed away Saturday, Dec. 12, in Coldwater.

Gene was born on Feb. 2, 1949, in Ionia, the son of Floyd Eugene and Margaret Lillian (Kanouse) Hammond, Jr. He graduated from Ewen-Trout Creek High School with the Class of 1967. His college career began at Northern Michigan University and he completed his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting at Michigan Technological Institute, where he served as President of the Kappa Sigma Iota Fraternity.

For the last 15 years he had been self-employed as a tax accountant, continually growing the client base of his business.

He loved to hunt and spend time up north at “the shack.” Gene had a great sense of humor and a free spirit which guided him through much of his life. He is a former member of Apostolic Lutheran Church in Bruce Crossing and the Zion Lutheran Church in Hancock, where he served as superintendent of the Sunday School Program. He also served as a volunteer firefighter, a township tax assessor and owned a store in the U.P. for a time.

Gene will be remembered by his loving family, including his dear mother, Margaret Lillian Hammond; children, Gina (Ted) Klahn, of Oconomowoc, Wis., Jed (Emily) Hammond, of Hancock, Jana (Kevin) Hammond, of Oconomowoc and Ginelle (Zach) Nagel, of Clifton Park, N.Y .; 20 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; siblings, Linda L. Hammond, Carole S. (Ernie) Hammond-Seif, Margaret A. Siler and Dale D. (Valorie) Hammond; many nieces and nephews; and many dear friends, who affectionately referred to him as “Geno.”

He was preceded in death by his father; infant grandson, Andrew; a sister, Janet M. Jackola; and his grandparents, including his special grandfather, Floyd E. Hammond, Sr.

Services will take place on Thursday, Dec. 17, at Shiloh Community Church in Orleans, with visitation from noon to 2 p.m., and Pastor Ken Harger will officiate the service beginning at 2 p.m. Interment rites will be accorded at a later date at Woodard Lake Cemetery.

Those wishing to express their sympathy are welcomed to consider a donation in Gene’s memory to the charity of the donor’s choice.

For additional information, please contact Verdun Family Funeral Home in Belding at 616-794-1300 or at verdunfh.com.