Lee Hamel

Lee Earl Hamel passed away peacefully at Michigan Veteran Homes in Grand Rapids on July 4th, 2024, after a long battle with Alzheimer's. In his time at the Vet's Home, he was incredibly well loved and cared for by the staff. Born March 4, 1940, he lived to be 84 years old. He always used to say that his birthday was the only date that was also a command ("March forth"). The son of George & Bernice (Patterson) Hamel, Lee was born and raised in DeTour Village, Michigan. He joined the U.S. Coast Guard from 1960-1964. During this time, he was stationed in Cleveland, Ohio, where he met the love of his life, Barbara, whom he met through a chance encounter after hitchhiking to church one morning. They were married on April 4, 1964 in Gates Mills, Ohio. They were happily married for 54 years and raised 4 wonderful children. Lee was devoted to caring for Barbara through a long illness, living out his wedding vows. In addition to his devotion to his wife, Lee was a loving and supportive father and grandfather. He was always ready to help his children with any needs throughout his life. He enjoyed attending events for his grandchildren and teaching them new skills. His children and grandchildren especially cherish his sense of humor and his funny songs he often spontaneously composed. Eventually moving to Greenville, Lee was well known in the community for his entrepreneurship of Hamel's TV. He frequently stopped work to chat with customers and friends who would visit him in his shop. Even in his later years, he could be found fiddling with VCRs and other electronics. Lee was a long time member of Faith Baptist Church and later Ashley Baptist Church. He served faithfully as a Gideon for many years. His faith was reflected in his care and concern for others. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his siblings, Dorothy Sims, Burton Hamel, and Marilyn Bosley. Surviving are his and Barbara’s children, Dennis & Beth Hamel of Comstock Park, Darrel & Rebecca Hamel of Eagle River, Alaska, Leslie Hamel-Alleyne of Orlando, Florida, and Lindsay & Mike Dekker of Greenville; and nine grandchildren, Michael Hamel of Comstock Park, Kate and Nate Bailey of Essexville, LuChina Robertson of Orlando, Florida, Raya Hamel-Alleyne & Ari Hamel-Alleyne of Orlando, Florida, Zachary Hamel & Amelia Hamel of Eagle River, Alaska, and William Dekker & Anna Dekker of Greenville. Visitation is from 12-1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at Christiansen's Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, 511 S. Franklin Street, Greenville, where funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Pastor Gib Brown, associate pastor of Ashley Baptist Church, will officiate and committal services will take place privately at Forest Home Cemetery, Greenville. Contributions in memory of Lee may be directed to the DeTour Passage Historical Museum, and envelopes will be available at the funeral home or may be sent to the Museum at P.O. Box 111, DeTour Village, MI 49725. To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Lee’s online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Christiansen’s Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Greenville, 616-754-5638, exclusive providers of Veterans Funeral Care. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lee Hamel, please visit our flower store.