Merwin E. Hammon

The family of Merwin (“Bud”) E. Hammon Jr. is saddened to announce his passing at home, surrounded by family, on Monday, January 20, 2025 at the age of 89 years.

Known for his wit and cheeky grin, Bud was born on July 2, 1935, in Elkhart, Indiana, to the late Merwin E. Hammon and Bernice (Smith) Hammon.  He was preceded in death by children Victoria and James, son-in-law John Cooper, and sisters Jade (Hammon) Long and Jacqueline (Hammon) Schenone.  On September 13, 1952, Bud married the love of his life, Clara F. Swihart, in Goshen, and they celebrated a remarkable 72 years of marriage.  Bud is survived by Clara and their two daughters, Rhonda S. Tavernier and Cathy C. (Richard) Hardison.

Bud and Clara’s long union oversaw the growth of a joyfully large family, and Bud had no shortage of love or time for his five grandsons and their families: Greg (Lisa) Foy and their children Nathan, Abigail (Ayron) Gors, Catelyn and Madison, Joshua (Jillian) Cooper and their daughter Imogen, Joseph (Rilla) Cooper and their children John, James, Ezekiel and Callie, Nicholas (Meredith) Cooper and their children Betsy and Charles, and Zachary (Rachael) Cooper.  Bud is also survived by his sister Joan Ernsberger.

In addition to being a family man, Bud loved working to keep his yard expertly manicured (to the envy of his neighbors), being on the river (including on a jet ski purchased during a midlife crisis at age 60), and his faith (which meant he never met a stranger and loved people).

In 1961, Bud began what would be a long and fulfilling career in finance.  After graduating from Jefferson High School and attending Goshen College, Bud took a job with The Local Finance Corp. and later joined Salem Bank in 1963 and then First National Bank in 1973. During his 19-year tenure at First National Bank, Bud advanced through several different loan officer positions, reflecting his passion for his career and for helping people in his community.

Bud also had an appreciation for learning and understood the power of banking knowledge: he graduated from the National Installment Credit School, received a general certificate from the American Institute of Banking (AIB) and also taught Consumer and Installment Credit for five years at AIB.

After 40 years in the industry, Bud retired for the first time in 1992 but found he did not have a taste for it. Perhaps because he missed the intellectual challenge of finance or the pleasure of working with the public (or perhaps Clara insisted that the grass could only be mowed so many times in one week), Bud came out of retirement, and Lake City Bank gained a very valuable employee, in 1994.  Bud started as the Elkhart East Office manager and over the next three years developed the branch into an immensely successful, high dollar location.

Throughout his life Bud also devoted himself to various community and professional organizations including the Jaycees, Optimist Club, Credit Professionals International of Elkhart, Homebuilder’s Association, BPO Elks, and Elcona Country Club.

Even after retiring again, Bud was never idle –he worked part-time, enjoyed time with his family and of course kept his lawn in perfect condition.

A private family service will be held at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, Goshen, with burial in West Goshen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Bud may be made to McCoy Memorial Baptist Church Elkhart, Indiana, or Elkhart County Heart to Heart Hospice.

The family would like to thank the Elkhart County Heart to Heart Hospice for the love and care given to Bud and his family.