Rev. Howard David Hammel "Pastor Hammel", 86, of Dover and formerly of Baltic, passed away on Sunday, April 5, 2026, at Hennis Care Centre in Dover following a period of declining health.

David was born on June 1, 1939, in Circleville, Ohio to the late Herbert and Viona (Smith) Hammel and on August 4, 1963, he married Marilyn Ann Kroner. She survives.

He graduated from Capital University in 1961. He then received his Bachelor of Divinity from the Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary in Columbus, Ohio in 1965, and was ordained in his home congregation of Trinity Lutheran of Circleville. He went on to serve at St. Timothy Lutheran in Hudson, Iowa from 1965-1969, St. John Lutheran in Baltic and St. John's Lutheran in New Bedford from 1969-2009 and provided services for Emmanuel Lutheran in Ragersville for nearly as long. He was the former Dean of the Northeastern Ohio Synod of the ELCA.

He was an EMT with the Baltic Squad, serving as president and charter training officer, member and former president of the Baltic Lions Club, member of the Baltic Tree Commission, for which a generation of Baltic Students knew him as "the Arbor Day guy". He served on Baltic Town Council and Baltic Ministerial Association, helped to organize the Emmett Mizer Lutheran Foundation of Baltic for local scholarships, and member of the "Baltic Fishermen's Association". But his proudest volunteer role of all: "Room Daddy" of Glen's second grade class.

In addition to his wife, Marilyn Hammel, he is survived by his sons, Bill (Pam) Hammel of Baltic and Glen Hammel of Sugarcreek; daughters, Rachel Miller of Winesburg and Laura (Kyle) Morris of West Salem; grandchildren, Brittany Hammel, Breanna Fleming, Jenessa Armstrong, Chance Miller, Joey Miller, Louisa Morris, Sophia Morris; six great grandchildren; brother-in-law Bob McCrady; stepsister Pat Beathard both of Circleville; and his favorite member of the family: Waffles the cat.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepmother Helen; sister Sue McCrady; and grandsons, Nicholas and Zachary.

Services will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at noon at St. John Lutheran Church in Baltic with Bishop Rev. Dr. Laura Barbins officiating. Burial will follow in West Lawn Cemetery in Baltic. Friends may call on Wednesday from 4-6 p.m. at Smith-Varns Funeral Home in Sugarcreek and Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon prior to services at the Baltic Church.

Memorials may be made in Pastor Hammel's memory to Crossroads Hospice, 3743 Boettler Oaks Drive, Suite E, Uniontown, OH 44685.