Obituary of Reverend Donald H Lammers

DONALD HAROLD LAMMERS Donald Harold Lammers, 82, of Cortland, died Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at Cortland Regional Medical Rehabilitation Center in Cortland. He was the son of the late Marion and Harold Lammers and was born October 29, 1927 in Fredonia. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Beatrice Martsolf Lammers, and their son, Timothy of New York City. Surviving cousins include Ruth Dempsey of Arizona , Jean (David) Pricher and Major Robert (Choon Hong) Young of Washington; sister-in-law Joan Martsolf of Pennsylvania; nieces and nephews across the U.S. and close family friends Sara Williams and Christopher Wiss of New York City. Following graduation from Fredonia High School , he joined the Army Air Corps. Don was also a graduate of Westminster College and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary both in Pennsylvania. He served pastorates in Bethel, Bolivar, and Indiana, Pennsylvania, as well as Bay Village and Lorain, Ohio. At seminary he met the Rev. Hugh Rose and Cathy Rose, who were instrumental in bringing him to the United Presbyterian Church in Cortland in 1981, where he served as Minister of Visitation and later as Associate Pastor. He retired at the end of 1994, but continued to serve as a volunteer. One of the founding members of Caring Community of Cortland (now Hospice), he also served on the Board of Alternatives to Incarceration and as a Loaves & Fishes helper. A member of Cortland Rotary Club, he was gifted by the Club as a Paul Harris Fellow. He was past president of the Cortland Council of Churches and was honored by the group at its first annual Golf Tournament. He graduated from the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle . The family honors his caregivers Sue Cannone, Barb Aldrich, Tami Reddick and Carey Wilk, as well as the CRMC staff, nurses, aides, physical therapists and Adult Day Care personnel for their devotion and dedication to his care. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in Donald Lammers's name to the United Presbyterian Church of Cortland, 25 Church Street, Cortland, NY 13045 or the Parkinsons Disease Support Group of Syracuse NY Inc., c/o Richard Olson, 4224 Trotwood Lane, Clay, NY 13041. A memorial service will be held at the United Presbyterian Church of Cortland at 3:30pm on Sunday, January 17, 2010 with a reception to follow in the church parlor. A spring burial is planned in Forest Hill Cemetery in Fredonia. To offer condolences online, visit www.wright-beard.com To Bea, Tim, Christopher, and the rest of the Lammers family: I am very sorry about Don's passing. He was a great guy. Norman Goff IN sympathy and friendship.PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR SORROW THAT YOU AND DONALD ARE IN OUR PRAYERS.ALWAYS HERE IF YOU NEED ANYTHING.AS ALWAYS THE TWOMEY FAMILY. Dear Bea, I am very sorry to hear that your chapter of life with Don has ended. To know that he served so many people in his long life and now has returned to his Father, must offer you great comfort. During your years in Cortland, I was not too involved so you may not even remember me. I do know, however, how much you both meant to our Church. I know also that the presence and strength of our Father will be with you and your family at this time. You are all in my thoughts. Sincerely, Elsie F. Baldwin