HOLMEN — George Hammes Jr., 63, of Holmen passed away Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse.

He was born in La Crosse on Nov. 17, 1946, to George Sr. (Anna Mae Teeling) Hammes.

George attended Blessed Sacrament Grade School in La Crosse before moving to Platteville, Wis., in 1955. He attended St. Mary’s Grade School and graduated in 1965 from Platteville High School. George attended the Madison School of Barbering, graduating in 1966. Shortly after he joined the U.S. Navy, serving from Sept. 1, 1966, through 1970 onboard USS O’Hare (DD889) and USS Rich (DD830). His military journey took him to every time zone but not around the world.

Following his military service, George moved to Rice Lake, Wis., to barber at Denny’s Barber Shop. In January 1973 he moved back to Platteville and worked at Dick’s Super Market. In April 1973 he moved to Lake Geneva, Wis., and worked at Merlin’s Barber Shop. He married Bonnie Barth on Sept. 22, 1973, at Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Dickeyville, Wis. On June 6, 1974, he started George’s Barber Shop in Holmen Square.

George was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. He was a Fourth Degree Knight with Father John Rossiter Council No. 9385 of Knights of Columbus. He was a member of American Legion Post 284 and Trempeauleau VFW Post 1915.

George’s political career started in 1982. He was elected to the La Crosse County Board where he served four two-year terms with two as chairman. After taking a eight year break he returned in 1998 for another five two-year terms. In 2001 George became the Holland Town Chairman and won re-election four times, resigning on Nov. 1, 2010, due to his health.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie; his children, Jill (Brian) Jarzemski of Holmen, Jeffrey (Won Ok) Hammes of Holmen and John (Samantha) Hammes of Melrose; his parents; eight brothers and sisters; Robert Hammes of New Lisbon, James (Pamela) Hammes of Waukesha, Wis., Jean Hammes of Holmen, Mary (Kevin) Butson of Platteville, Wis., Joseph (Karen) Hammes of Waukesha, Mark (Beth) Hammes of Platteville, David (Robin ) Hammes of Beloit, Wis., and Kay (David) Hirsch of Waukesha. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Kelsie, Karmyn and Kyle Jarzemski and Gabriel, Jacob, Noah, Spencer, Wyatt and John Dale Hammes, sisters-in-law; Carol (Daniel) Ellerbach of Bellevue, Iowa, Paula (Ronald) Digman of Dickeyville, Wis., Anita (Kenneth) Kohout of Monfort, Wis., Gerri Barth, Gail Barth and Mary Jane (Derek) Dachelet, all of Belmont, Wis., Brenda (Kris) Enright of Stockton, Ill., Karla (Robert) Stoney of Belmont and Anna Barth of East Dubuque, Ill.; brothers-in-law; Steven (Susan) Barth of Livingston, Wis., and Gene Barth of Belmont.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Joan (Larry) Trine; and by his maternal and paternal grandparents.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 515 Main St. N., Holmen. The Rev. Robert Schaller will officiate and burial with military honors will be in Green Mound Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family at Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 515 McHugh Road, Holmen, on Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m., with a rosary to be recited at 7:30 p.m., and again at the church on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until time of services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial may be given to Holmen Knights of Columbus.

Information and on-line condolences may be given to the family at www.dickinsonfuneralhomes.com