Verna Mae Hammond, 82 of Hanover, formerly of Columbus and North Vernon, Indiana passed away on the evening of July 20, 2008 at Thornton Terrace Health Campus in Hanover.

She was born on October 26, 1925 in Columbus, she was the daughter of George W. and Louise Knotte Kollmeyer. She married Charles D. Hammond on May 3, 1964.

She retired after 35 years of service from Arvin Industries where she worked in the payroll department. She was a member of the Scipio Methodist Church and a 10 year volunteer of the Hospice of Jennings County. She was also very active with the North Vernon Senior Center and enjoyed crocheting, cross stitch, euchre games, flower gardening and bird watching.

She is survived by one son, Michael E. Gilmore of Columbus; two daughters, Verna M. Summerville of Oshkosh, Wis. and Judith Andrew of Madison; one step-son, Charles Hammond of Franklin; two step-daughters, Norma Meridith of Indianapolis and Linda Cooney of Greensburg; two brothers, Jerry Kollmeyer of Fairbanks, Ark and Wayne Kollmeyer of Mich.; one step-sister, Dottie Taylor of Clarksville, Tenn.; 29 grandchildren and several great and great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a sister, Louise Worth; three brothers, Robert, Paul and Harold Kollmeyer; two step-brothers, Richard and John Stephens and two great-granddaughters.

Visitation will be from 4 - 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 24 at the Sawyer-Pickett Funeral Home in North Vernon. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 25 at the funeral home with Rev. Bob Hicks and Rev. Robbie King officiating. Burial will be in the Springer Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Hospice of Jennings County or to the donor’s choice.