Stephen E. ‘Ambrose’ Hammond

Stephen E. “Ambrose” Hammond, 74, of Charleston, Ill., passed away Monday, July 19, 2021 at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.

Ambrose was born Feb. 28, 1947 in Putnam County, the son of Rex and Nellie (Neese) Hammond.

He married Mary Frances Chism on April 8, 1995 in Charleston and she survives.

Ambrose was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of the Paul McVey VFW Post 1592 and the Charleston American Legion, and was a past member of the Charleston Moose Lodge. Ambrose retired as head of security for Securitize Security at Blue Cross Blue Shield in Mattoon.

Ambrose loved people. He never knew a stranger. He loved NASCAR, target shooting and teaching his great-grandchildren how to get into trouble.

Other survivors include his daughter, Amy (Junior Hill) Hammond; bonus children Mike (Pam) Davis and Connie (Rick) Noble; sister Betty Scaggs; brothers Gregory Hammond and Larry Hammond; grandchildren Alexis (Justin) Pinkiston, Abbigail Fultz and Ashli Fultz; bonus grandchildren Nicole Davis, Craig (Gina) Noble, Shanna Davis, Ashley Hieronymus, Jamie Pearcy and Kelsey (Brandon) Crone; 15 great-grandchildren, with another due in November; as well as countless aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law Donnie Scaggs; and grandson-in-law Nathan Hieronymus.

The funeral service honoring his life will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, July 23 at the Caudill-King Funeral Home with Nicole Davis officiating. Burial with military rites will follow in Roselawn Cemetery, Charleston. Visitation will be Thursday evening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the Military Honors team for the VFW and American Legion.