Charles Raymond 'Charlie' Hemmer

Charles Raymond “Charlie” Hemmer, 90, of Shelby, died Aug. 28, 2013, at the Marias Medical Center due to natural causes.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 6, at St. William Catholic Church with a viewing at Whitted Funeral Home from 2 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5. A rosary service will be held at 7 p.m. at St. Williams Catholic Church Thursday following the viewing. Interment with military honors will be in the Mountain View Cemetery in Shelby. Whitted Funeral Chapel of Shelby is in charge of arrangements.

Charlie was born March 10, 1923, in Lothair, Mont., to Matt and Anna (Schroer) Hemmer. He graduated from Browning High School in 1941. During World War II he served in the Army stationed at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. In 1947 he met his future bride, Helen Deterding, and they were wed in 1948 in Shelby, Mont. He worked construction, first as a cement finisher and then learning the trade of plumbing. He formed Lee and Hemmer Plumbing with Ed Lee. Eventually, he bought out Ed and worked as Hemmer Plumbing and Heating until his retirement. His son Joe currently runs the business.

Many hours of Charlie’s time was devoted to the community. He served on the Shelby Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, most of that time as the secretary/treasurer. He was also a volunteer on the Toole County Ambulance.

Family was always his first priority. As his children grew, he was always a quiet, solid presence for them. In later years, his grandchildren were his focus and, later still, his great-grandchildren. He was happiest around his family, often sitting quietly with a little smile on his face.

Church was important to Charlie, and he was an active member of St. Williams Catholic Church. For recreation, he loved to hunt and fish.

Survivors include his children, Dennis (Mary Kay) Hemmer of Cheyenne, Wyo., Susan (Doug) Lutke of Lewistown, Joe (Marie) Hemmer of Shelby and Mary Jane (Bud) Borlaug of Havre; his brother, Gerald Hemmer of Billings; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Helen Marie (Deterding) Hemmer; brothers, Frank, John, Lawrence, Joe, James and George; his sister, Annaleen Zeeck; and grandsons, Patrick Hemmer and Matthew Hemmer.

The family suggests memorials be sent to the Shelby Volunteer Fire Department or the Toole County Ambulance.

Condolences may be sent to http://www.whittedfuneralchapel.com.