Ivan Dale Hammond (known to friends & family as "Mike"), was born April 12, 1920, to Lewis Daily & Helen Josephine (Whitaker) Hammond. He was born and raised in Long Island, Kansas, where he worked in his parent's business, the Long Island General Store and Café. He was an avid athlete at a young age and became a prominent part of Long Island High School basketball lore.

He met his wife of nearly 70 years, Doris Vincent, during high school. After a first date on New Years Eve 1939, they were later married June 22, 1941. They lived in the Long Island and surrounding communities until Mike was called into military service in 1943. He served as a Master Sergeant in the 1778th Engineer Construction Battalion in the Pacific Theatre.

Upon the completion of his military service Mike and Doris settled in Nebraska City where Mike worked for his brother Charles on the farm for 17 years. In 1962 Mike, Doris and their 4 sons moved to Long Island where Mike joined his nephew in the Long Island elevator. A few years later Mike purchased the elevator and Long Island Grain Company became the focal point of Mike, Doris and their sons and later grandchildren, employing nearly all of the Hammond generations that followed at one time or another. During his tenure at the helm of the family business Mike also served the Long Island community along side many lifelong friends. Mike was active in the State of Kansas Grain and Feed Association serving as a Director and was later appointed by Governor Mike Hayden to his administration, serving on the State Grain Advisory Commission beginning in 1988.

What started as a small family business grew into larger business's that are still part of the community today. Mike taught his boys that the foundation of a business was to serve the community in which they lived, greet every customer with a firm handshake and a warm welcome, and give them tireless service. The rest would take care of itself. Each of the children have followed those values to success today, with Gary, Tim, Craig and their families leading local businesses and Mark and his family living and working in the Chicago area.

When Mike wasn't working with his family in the business, he enjoyed attending the many sporting events and activities which his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren participated in. He was a staple at local junior high and high school events for nearly 50 years. He was loved by the fans and equally "adored" by the many football and basketball officials whom he "affectionately called out words of wisdom to" during the course of many events! Golf was his personal passion where Mike loved to spend his time with family and friends. Mike finally achieved the perfect swing on his 66th birthday with a 6 iron on the 6th hole at Alma Golf Club, while playing golf with his son, Craig. Heaven only knows the little jig he danced when it went in the hole and he had made his first, and only, hole-in-one.

Mike's later years were enjoyed in retirement with his wife in the family home in Long Island. Even in retirement he was never far away from the family business as he frequented the elevator during wheat harvest and always wanted daily reports from his

sons about the day's activities and goings on during harvest. His friends and family were always around him, including the day he passed. Doris, his partner of 70 years, never left his side, caring for him at their home until shortly before he passed on June 12th in the Alma hospital.

Mike's legacy will be a long one. He was a husband, father and grandfather, leaving behind a wife, four sons, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of whom will miss him dearly, but will treasure forever the memories they have of a very special man. I.D., Mike, Honey, Dad, Pops, Grandpa, or Grampy…..by any name, you were one in a million.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his brothers, Charles and Don Hammond; his sister, Avis Stutterheim, and an infant sister, Helen Hammond.

Survivors include his wife, Doris, of the home in Long Island; his sons: Gary & wife, Patricia, Tim & wife, Lynette, and Craig & wife, Cindy, all of Long Island, and Mark & wife, Stephanie, of Barrington Hills, IL; 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.


Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 16, at 2:00 p.m. in the Long Island United Methodist Church with Pastor Dean Gilbert officiating. Burial will follow in the Long Island Cemetery, with military honors by the Ft. Riley Honor Guard.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. and Wed. from 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg.

Memorial contributions may be given to Hospice Services or the Long Island Community Building.