Obituary of Ruth Bassel Hammac

Ruth Bassel England was born on March 7, 1936 in Tazwell, Tennessee.   She was born from the union of Owen and Ora (Brooks) England.  As a young girl, the England family moved to Monroe, Michigan where Ruth attended Monroe High School.   Ruth married the love of her life, Franklin Hammac on January 24, 1954 in Monroe.   Together the couple would be blessed with three beautiful daughters and two handsome sons.

Ruth was a lifelong caregiver.   When she wasn’t tending to the needs of her family, she was serving other as a Nurse’s Aide at the former Beach Nursing Home in Monroe.   Her career spanned more than twenty-five years before taking a medical retirement.   Ruth absolutely loved the presence of children.   She cared for those of friends and family and adored her grandchildren, the reward for being a mother.

Ruth was a wonderful Christian woman and a longtime active member of Monroe Missionary Baptist Church.   She enjoyed the company of others and had participated in league play at the Nortel Lanes.   She loved listening to country music with the band Alabama being among her favorite artists.  

Ruth loved to be outside tending to her flower garden or watching the Cardinals eat from one of her many bird feeders.  She had a fondness for Northern Michigan, never missing an opportunity to spend time at her cabin in Harrison, Michigan. 

Ruth Bassel Hammac, age 86, of Monroe passed away on Thursday; August 25, 2022 at FountainView of Monroe under the care of ProMedica Monroe Hospice.  Her passing was preceded by her parents:  Owen and Ora England; her husband:  Franklin Hammac on June 8, 2010; her son:  Michael Hammac in 2011; daughters:  Jessie Kelly in 2021 and Heather Kreuger; sister Barb Baldwin; and two sons-in-law:  Randy Poppe and Chris Kelly.

To cherish Ruth’s memory, she leaves two daughters:  Gail Ruth Poppe of Monroe and Geraldine Lynn (Ed) Karas of Trenton, Michigan; one son:  Jason Noah (Ginger) Hammac of Harrison, Michigan; a brother:  Curtis (Zeta) England of Grand Haven, Michigan; a brother-in-law:  Norm Baldwin of Glennie, Michigan; sixteen grandchildren; twenty-two great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may gather from 2:00pm until 6:00pm on Sunday; August 28, 2022 at Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185.  A Celebration of Her Life will be 6:00pm also at Merkle’s with Pastor BJ McDaniel of One Way Christian Fellowship officiating.  Private burial will take place on Monday; August 29, 2022 at Roselawn Memorial Park in LaSalle, Michigan.

For those desiring, memorial contributions in Ruth’s memory are suggested to the family to assist with arrangements.   Online guest may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com