Elroy Hammel, 88 of Overland Park died on Monday, May 16, 2022 at the Morningside Place of Overland Park.
Elroy was born to John Richard “Jack” and Edna Victoria (Hedberg) Hammel on November 11, 1933, in Clay Center, Kansas. He was the fourth of seven children.
Elroy had an entrepreneurial spirit, and his early years were filled with ideas for making extra money. Possibly his biggest undertaking was when he bought an old tractor and plow from a salvage yard in Clay Center and struck a deal with a farmer north of Clay Center to plow-under his wheat stubble after harvest. A big task, but Elroy pulled it off. Then, with no further need for the tractor and plow, he sold them back to the salvage yard. A few days later, cash in pocket, he hitched a ride to town and bought his first car—a used 1936 Chevrolet. This was the Elroy his family loved.
After graduation from Clay County Community High School in 1951, Elroy found work in Wichita, KS. He later enlisted in the U.S.A.F. He served for eight years and gained the status of staff sergeant. Throughout his military career he was a steward for military flights and spent time in both England and Germany. During this time, he began a course of higher education through correspondence from Maryland University.
After returning to civilian life, Elroy continued his education in Wichita where he received a Bachelor of Science from Wichita State University. During this time, he worked for both Cessna and Boeing Aircraft.
Elroy married Bonnie Jean Fahrbach in 1970. He then accepted a position with the Federal Government as a systems analyst in Kansas City. He and Bonnie purchased a home in Overland Park, KS where they lived the rest of their lives. Elroy retired in the mid-1990s.
Elroy was preceded in death by his parents, wife Bonnie Hammel, brother Eldon Hammel, sister Doris Lietzan, brother Loren Hammel, stepson Wayne E. Fahrbach, Jr, and stepson Jimmy R. Fahrbach.
Elroy will be lovingly remembered by his siblings, Gary (Carol) Hammel, Wichita, Jan Jewell, Trivoli, IL, Vickie McCann, Trivoli, IL and by his stepchildren, Cindy Scheinost, Overland Park, KS, Connie Fahrbach, Andover, KS, Tracy Fahrbach, Bel Aire, KS and Brenda Fahrbach, Durango, CO.
Graveside funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 23, 2022, at the Greenwood Cemetery in Clay Center, KS.
There will be no visitation.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Clay Center Zoo and may made in care of Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home, 918 7th St., Clay Center, KS 67432.