Michael "Mike" Hammond Obituary (1968 - 2013)

Michael "Mike" Hammond, 44, of Pana, died Monday, October 28, 2013 in Pana Community Hospital. He was born November 29, 1968 in Centralia, IL. Mike attended public school until high school, and then graduated from Jacksonville School for the Blind. He came to Pana in the 1990's from Windsor. Mike had been blind since the age of 3. With his strong will, he was able to accomplish many things that people with sight were able to do. He climbed trees, rode a bicycle, played with the other boys in the neighborhood, walked to from school all the way across town, and played drums in the Wokken Stick Band. He adopted his son, Austin, at the age of 7 months. Mike was very independent and proud of his accomplishments. He is survived by his son: Austin Hammond, Pana, IL; mother step father: Mary Jerry Durbin, Pana, IL; brothers: Floyd Hammond, Effingham, IL; Bill Hammond, Wynnewood, OK; Tom Hammond, Odin, IL; Rick Hammond, Pana, IL; sister: Susan Rose, Bethany, IL; step brother: Steven Luke Durbin, Shelbyville, IL; step sister: Sherri Hunter, Tower Hill, IL. He was preceded in death by his father, Floyd Everett Hammond. Funeral Information Cremation rights will be accorded and no services are planned at this time.