Arlo M. Hamel

Arlo M. Hamel, 95 of Cedarville, passed away early Thursday morning, April 24 at his home on East M134. He was born on February 7,1919 at McCays Creek, Clark Township. His parents were Robert and Gertrude (Meyer) Hamel.. He had lived in Cedarville most his life and attended school in Cedarville.He entered the U.S. Army during WWll on July 21,1944 and served until December 19,1945. He was wounded in action on Okinawa and was evacuated to the hospital ship, the U.S.S. Comfort, which departed for Guam. Four hours after leaving port, the ship was attacked by a suicide plane. It was the only hospital ship attacked by the Japanese, during WWll. He received a Purple Heart and recommended for the Bronze Star for heroic, meritorius achievement during the war. However,,he did not receive the Bronze Star until his sister, Elda Nye, notified Washington in 1985. He owned Snows Docks for many years, and had also worked as a commercial fisherman, logger and machinist and owner of a sawmill. The Hamel family homesteaded in Cedarville and were one of the founding families of the Cedarville area. He enjoyed hunting, and fishing and was a talented woodworker, making many beautiful cribbage boards. He learned to play cribbage at the age of 11 and was an excellent player, often beating his opponents. He loved music and was a talented self-taught guitar player.He married Fern Carrick in Pickford on October 14,1939 . He is survived by a daughter, Alana (Paul) Kemper of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; a son, Arlo (Vicki) Hamel of Dafter;; a sister, Hyla Rae Goucher of Cedarville and Portland, Oregon; a brother, James (Jodi) Hamel of Bay Port; 13 grandchildren;24 great- grandchildren; and 8 great -great -grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Fern; daughters, Gertrude and Rose Ann; siblings, Ivan Hamel; Elda Nye and Dee Paquin, a grandson and a great- grandson. .. He taught us all a thing or two about life, cribbage, poker,fishing,hunting, boating, tying a knot, woodworking, winning at slots and how to tell a story using the least amount of words possible. A special thanks to Tom and Karen Moore for their thougtfulness and wonderful friendship; Jodi, Sharon, Margie, Julia and very special friend, Leona. A Celebration of Arlo's life will be held on Saturday, May 3, from 1 to 4 pm at Angio's in Cedarville. All are invited for fellowship and food. His ashes will be intered in Cedar Cemetery beside his wife at a later date. Dodson Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements..

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Arlo M. Hamel

April 24, 2014