Martha J. Hammerle, age 80 of Batesville, died Monday, February 1, 2016 at St. Andrew’s Health Campus. Born October 17, 1935 in Richmond, Indiana, she is the daughter of Irene (Nee: Baumer) and Joseph Vogelgesang. She married William Hammerle July 2, 1966 in Richmond and he preceded her in death in April of 1982. A member of St. Louis Church and the Knights of St. John’s Ladies Auxiliary, Martha spent 40 years as the bookkeeper for Hirt & Ellco and the last 12 years with Eckstein Heating and Cooling.
Limited mobility didn’t stop Martha from enjoying many hobbies. An avid I.U. basketball, Colts and Reds fan, she was also fond of occasional trips to the casino and a regular at Thursday night bingo at St. Louis until recent years. Other interests included romance novels, jigsaw puzzles and movies on the Hallmark Channel. Apparently Martha was also extremely competitive and very fond of Yahtzee, along with her neighbors. Games were weekly and phone calls during that time were met with “not now” and a click. By not winning, you could expect to have “loser” taped to your mailbox. According to the kids, mom wasn’t the greatest cook, but were quick to point out that no known cases of food poisoning have been reported. What was most important to Martha was family. She dearly loved having her grandchildren around and was also very close to her nieces and nephews.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law JoLynn and Joe Eckstein of St. Leon, Indiana; son and daughter-in-law John and Patti Hammerle of Brownsburg, Indiana; brothers Jim Vogelgesang of Richmond, Indiana, Don Vogelgesang of St. Augustine, Florida and five grandchildren. In addition to her husband an parents, she is also preceded in death by her sister Ruth Vogelgesang.
Visitation is Thursday, February 4th, from 4 – 7 p.m. at the Weigel Funeral Home. Funeral services are 10 a.m. Friday, February 5th, at St. Louis Church with Rev. Alan Hirt O.F.M. officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family requests memorials to Margaret Mary Health Foundation Hospice.