Hemmerling

Michael E. "Mike" Hemmerling, 65, of Eau Claire passed away at 3:15 a.m. Tuesday at UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh.

Born in Lackawanna, N.Y., Jan. 30, 1943, he was the son of the late Elmer and Jane Hemmerling.

He was a Roman Catholic.

He served with the Air Force for several years, being honorably discharged with the rank of staff sergeant Dec. 11, 1970. While serving in Vietnam, he earned the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.

Mike was employed for many years as an aircraft mechanic with US Airways, first based at Pittsburgh, and later Orlando, Fla., from where he retired.

He enjoyed woodworking, especially creating wooden models of various aircraft. He also enjoyed fishing.

Surviving are his wife, Esther Miller Thompson Hemmerling; a son, Michael E. Hemmerling Jr. of New York; two stepsons, Rickie Thompson of Bruin and Raymond Thompson of Slippery Rock; a special daughterlike friend, Darla Lominski and her husband, John, of Eau Claire; five step- grandchildren; and one step-great-grandaughter.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Thomas Hemmerling.

<B>HEMMERLING</B> — Friends of Michael E. "Mike" Hemmerling, who died Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008, may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the <B>H. Jack Buzard Funeral Home</B>, Main Street/Route 38, Eau Claire. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in the Eau Claire Cemetery.Members of VFW Post 7073 and American Legion Post 598 of Parker will assemble at 10:45 a.m. Friday at the funeral home to conduct veteran memorial services.Information also is available at www.buzardfuneralhomes.com.