Elmer Louis Hammerschmidt, 79, of 343 McConahy Road, Plain Grove Township, Lawrence County, died Tuesday evening at Jameson Memorial Hospital, New Castle.

Born March 11, 1925, in New Castle, he was the son of Christian John and Mary L. Haug Hammerschmidt.

A 1942 graduate of Plain Grove High School, he was a self-employed farmer and had retired from Armco-Butler Works. He also had been a substitute rural mail carrier.

Mr. Hammerschmidt was a member of the Hillcrest Presbyterian Church in America Church of Volant. His interests were his family and gardening.

He is survived by his wife, Esther C. Dight Hammerschmidt, whom he married Oct. 28, 1944; five son and daughters-in-law, John L. and Trudy Hammerschmidt of Oil City, James A. and Shirley Hammerschmidt of Greenville, Jerry D. and Virginia Hammerschmidt of Volant, Jeff O. and Deborah Hammerschmidt of New Castle and Joel E. and Sonya Hammerschmidt of Slippery Rock; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Two brothers and a sister-in-law, Albert and Helen Hammerschmidt of Volant and David Hammerschmidt of Volant; and two sisters, Donna Heartsick of Cleveland, Ohio, and Ann and her husband, David Sumner, of New Castle also survive.

A sister, Pauline Wright, preceded him in death.

HAMMERSCHMIDT - Friends of Elmer Louis Hammerschmidt, who died Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2004, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 421 New Castle St., Slippery Rock. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. Irfon Hughes, his church pastor, officiating. Burial will be at South Plain Grove Cemetery, Plain Grove Township, Lawrence County.Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or Hillcrest PCA Church, P.O. Pox 156, Volant, PA 16156.