Charles 'Charlie' Hemmer

Charles Raymond “Charlie” Hemmer, 90, of Shelby, died August 28, 2013 at the Marias Medical Center due to natural causes. Funeral services will be 11 am Friday, September 6, at St William Catholic Church with a viewing at Whitted Funeral Home 2 to 6 pm on Thursday September 5.  A rosary service will be held at 7 pm at St Williams Catholic Church on Thursday following the viewing.  Interment with military honors will be in the Mountain View Cemetery in Shelby.  Whitted Funeral Chapel of Shelby is in charge of arrangements.

Charlie was born March 10, 1923 in Lothair, Montana to Matt and Anna (Schroer) Hemmer.  He graduated from Browning High School in 1941.  During WWII he served in the Army stationed at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii.  In 1947 he met his future bride Helen Deterding and they were wed in 1948 in Shelby, MT.  He worked construction, first as a cement finisher and then learned the trade of plumbing.  He formed Lee and Hemmer Plumbing with Ed Lee.  Eventually he bought out Ed and worked as Hemmer Plumbing and Heating until his retirement.  His son Joe currently runs the business.

Many hours of Charlie’s time was devoted to the community.  He served on the Shelby Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, most of that time as the Secretary/Treasurer.  He was also a volunteer on the Toole County Ambulance.

Family was always his first priority.  As his children grew, he was always a quiet solid presence for them.  In later years his grandchildren were his focus and later still his great grandchildren.  He was happiest around his family, often sitting quietly with a little smile on his face.

Church was important to Charlie and he was an active member of St. Williams Catholic Church.  For recreation, he loved to hunt and fish.

Survivors include his children, Dennis (Mary Kay) Hemmer of Cheyenne, WY, Susan (Doug) Lutke of Lewistown, Joe (Marie) Hemmer of Shelby, and Mary Jane (Bud) Borlaug of Havre; his brother, Gerald Hemmer of Billings; seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Helen Marie (Deterding) Hemmer; brothers, Frank, John, Lawrence, Joe, James and George; his sister Annaleen Zeeck; and grandsons Patrick Hemmer and Matthew Hemmer.

The family suggests memorials be sent to the Shelby Volunteer Fire Department or the Toole County Ambulance.