ROCHESTER - John K. Hamm, 54, of Rochester died Friday, Sept. 26, 2008, at Memorial Medical Center.

He was born Sept. 7, 1954, in Lincoln, the son of Robert N. and Grace A. Rothwell Hamm. He married Racquel J. Montenegro on Dec. 7, 1983, in the Philippines.

He was a member of Rochester Christian Church and senior member of the Civil Air Patrol. He was a public information officer for the Department of Children and Family Services. He was on the board of directors at the Farmers Bank in Mount Pulaski, served as a minister for the deaf at West Side Christian Church and was a national award-winning speechwriter. John had been an artist since high school, was a freelance photographer and writer for The State Journal-Register, Decatur Herald and Review, Bloomington Pantagraph and the Lincoln Courier.

He is survived by his wife, Raquel of Rochester; a son, Andrew Hamm of Rochester; a brother, Dr. Robert L. Hamm of Washington, D.C.; three sisters, Linda (husband, Richard) Kenyon of Chicago, Diane (husband, Ron) Cohen of Jacksonville and twin sister, Mary (husband, Paul) Ridings of Huntsville, Tenn.; several nieces and nephews; and a great-niece.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2008, at Rochester Christian Church. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008, at the church, with David Upchurch officiating. Graveside services will follow at 2 p.m. at Logan County Cemetery in Mount Pulaski.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or Memorial Medical Center Foundation.

Please visit our online obituaries at www.wilsonparkfuneralhome.com.