James R. Hamacher, age 75, of Peru and formerly of LaMoille passed away peacefully on May 20, 2019 in Bradenton, Florida, after a long, courageous battle with Parkinson's disease.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Clarion Twp. with Rev. Kevin Weeks officiating. Burial will be private at Clarion Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be Saturday from 1-4 p.m. at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota.

Jim was born  March 7, 1944 in Peru to James B. and Dorothy (Wade) Hamacher. He was raised and lived in LaMoillethe majority of his life.

If you had the opportunity to know James, you had the pleasure to meet a man of upstanding character. He was a hard-working, loving man with a heart of gold. He touched many lives along his life's journey.

Jim graduated from LaMoille High School. Life led him to serve in the United States Army during the Vietnam War where he spent a year and a half fighting for his country. After his military service, Jim dedicated his work career to Consolidated Grain & Barge where he spent thirty-six years. During that time, he functioned as a grain merchandiser, operator, and grain manager. James was recently honored for his commitment to the company by having a tugboat named after him. The 'Jim H' currently runs in St. Louis on the Mississippi River.

In his free time, James enjoyed hunting, fishing, working in his yard, spending time with his family and friends, playing cards, driving his '48 Plymouth, and relaxing in his second home in Florida. He was a member of Ducks Unlimited, served on the township board and was active in the Zion Lutheran Church.

He is survived by his loving wife of forty-seven years, Janet; daughter, Kami (Matt) Becker and family, Elia and Evin Becker of Peru; daughter, Deb (Brad) Geuther of LaMoille and family, Jade Geuther of Woodstock, GA and Nigel (Neftali) Lizarraga and family, Omni and Oaklie Lizarraga of Peoria, AZ; son Ken(Gwen) Luck of LaMoille and family, Jenna Luck of Spring Valley and Garrett (Lauren) Luck of Princeton and family, HuntLee, BrinLeigh, BrookLeigh and BexLeigh Luck; and sister, Gloria Cogdal of Mendota.

He was preceded in death by his parents and son Steven Hamacher in 1993.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family for a memorial to be established in Jim's memory.