Gwendolyn Louise Hammond, 88-years-old, returned to her heavenly home on Saturday, July 1, 2017 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Her devotion to her family and her firm belief in God, along with the love and prayers of family, friends, and many supporters carried her through ten years of the deteriorating disease and ultimately gave her peace.

Gwen was born to the late Lee and Ethel Hardway on October 23, 1928 in Masonville, Kentucky. She grew up on a farm south of Martinsville, IL, with older siblings, Leona, Chester, Mary, and Kenneth, and her younger siblings, Jimmy and Sharon. She adored caring for her niece and nephew, Patty and Bob Hills.

After graduating from Martinsville High School she attended beauty school in Terre Haute, Indiana. She met her sweetheart, Haven Hammond, soon after. The couple was married the November 24, 1948 at the Martinsville Methodist Church. Married for 49 years, Haven and Gwen raised their three dear daughters, Debra, Lora, and Jill, with patience, discipline, and love.

From the very beginning Gwen shared her faith with her daughters by reading to them from the Bible and teaching them to pray. She was saved as a child and then baptized on December 18, 1962 at the Martinsville Bible Church where she attended for the rest of her life. Possessing a true servant’s heart, Gwen faithfully cared for family and friends through delicious cooking/baking, sewing and crafting.

With a real zest for life, Gwen loved to play games/cards – especially with her Grandchildren- visit with friends and family, and travel…just to name a few. She was a volunteer with Meals-on-Wheels, the Lincoln School, AWANA, and Hospice. She was a homemaker, but also was employed as a part-time telephone operator and cashier at Mauk Pharmacy. After Haven’s retirement Gwen assisted him with selling postal uniforms at post offices around the bi-state area.

Gwen and Haven opened their home to their adored niece, Julie Veach, during Julie’s high school years. Several other nieces and nephews spent their summers in their home. Later Gwen opened her home to missionaries on furlough and visiting ministers, including the current pastor, David Wilson and his family.

In later years Gwen’s loving friends, Polly Brink and Crystal Morgan, assisted Gwen’s daughters in caring for her in her home. She was also lovingly cared for by countless nurses and nurses’ assistants during her stay at Heartland Manor.

Gwen was predeceased by her loving husband, Haven, two sisters, Leona Hills and Mary Guinn, and two brothers, Chester Hardway and James Hardway. Gwen is survived by her brother, Kenneth Hardway and sister, Sharon Daughettee, three daughters, Debra (Wayne) Sallee, Lora (Jim) Vickroy, and Jill Spring. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Brooke (Josh) Gronewold, Leigh (Brandon) Booher, Blair Munday, Ross (Angela) Vickroy, Rachel (Hunter) Smith, Brian Spring, and Stephen Spring; as well as ten great-grandchildren,Haven and Nyah Gronewold, Dayton, Easton, and Paxton Booher, Eleanor and Ames Munday, Lewis and Benjamin Vickroy, Jackson Smith and great granddaughter Smith on the way.

Throughout her life, Gwen maintained a sweet and simple demeanor that won the trust and hearts of many, who even now are being changed by her witness of constant nurturing love and faith. Her signature gift of joy, shown through her constant smiling, giggling, and caring will never be forgotten.

Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, July 5, 2017 at Martinsville Bible Church with Rev. David Wilson officiating. Burial will follow in the City Cemetery, Martinsville, IL. Visitation will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. prior to the service at the Martinsville Bible Church, 509 Ridgelawn Rd., Martinsville, IL.

Memorial donations may be made to Alzhiemer’s Association, 207 S. Prospect, Suite 1, Bloomington, IL 61704.

To view the full obituary, send a condolence message, light a candle or post photos, visit www.markwellfuneralhome.com. Greenwell Funeral Home of Martinsville, IL is in charge of the arrangements.