Clara M. Hammell

Clara Hammell, 95, of La Junta, passed away on March 16, 2012 at the Pioneer Healthcare Center. She was born on March 30, 1916 in Philadelphia, PA to Harry Charles & Hattie Louise (Sternelle) Yeager. She was married to Glen L. Hammell on October 16, 1948 in Las Animas; he preceded her in death on July 11, 1988.

Clara was born and raised in the Kensington Section of Philadelphia.  She attended Kensington High School for Girls, Nursing training at Northeastern Hospital in Philadelphia, and college courses at the University of Colorado & Ohio University.  Clara was active in the churches she attended; locally the United Methodist Church and the First Christian Church where she taught Sunday School classes over the years. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Unit #6, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Auxiliary 2401, Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center, Auxiliary, Arkansas Valley Hospice Assoc., NARFE, AARP, and Northeastern Hospital Alumni.  Clara worked for many different organizations throughout her life; the AVRMC Operating Room Supervisor for many years, Santa Fe Hospital in La Junta, Veterans Administration Hospitals in Chillicothe, Ohio and Fort Lyon, Colorado, Bent County Public Health Nurse.

Clara is survived by her brother, Harry Yeager of Media, PA; niece, Barbara (William) Garrett of Pottstown, PA and their children Melissa & Michele; niece, Nancy (Joe) Leach of Sarasota, FL and their children Corinne & Shaun; her close friend Diane Salas and family.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry & Hattie Yeager, brother, Elwood Yeager, sister-in-law, Ruth Yeager, and her husband Glen L. Hammell.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Arkansas Valley Hospice Assoc., P.O. Box 408, La Junta, CO, 81050 or to the United Methodist Church, 6th and San Juan Avenue, La Junta direct or through the funeral home. 

Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.



Funeral service will be Wednesday, March 21, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. at Peacock Memorial Chapel with Reverend Terilynn Russ of the United Methodist Church officiating.  Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery.