Pam Hemmelgarn was born Pamela Jane Phillips in Lafollette, TN on September 20, 1953.
Her parents moved the family to Ohio when she was three years old, and her early life was spent reading, often walking several miles to the library on Salem Avenue. She graduated from Fairmont High School in the National Honor Society and afterwards became active in the Dayton Theatre Guild as a player, singer, and seamstress.
She was working as a cashier at the Gold Circle when she met Kenneth Hemmelgarn at the She nightclub. They were married at Emmanuel Catholic Church on May 30, 1975. Pam supported her husband while he obtained his degree in engineering and they had two children together; Karla in 1981 and Brad in 1984.
A loving wife and mother, Pam sewed Halloween costumes, helped with math homework, and ferried her children from marching band practice to play rehearsals. She was always welcoming of new friends and supportive of their varied interests. Reading continued to be a lifelong passion that she passed on to her children. She especially loved the mysteries of Agatha Christie.
She sang in the choir at Our Lady of Mercy for nearly 40 years, often as a cantor. Pam also studied accounting and worked seasonally helping others with tax preparations. Those she left behind will remember the sounds of her melodic voice in song and her boisterous laughter, as well as her kindness.
Pam passed away at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio on November 4, 2022 at the age of 69. She is predeceased by her mother M. Jane Brown and her brother Bill Phillips. She is survived by her husband Ken, daughter Karla, son Brad, her siblings, Melody, Jamie, Kim, Rick and Stormi, and other beloved family.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday November 19 at 11am at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church at 533 Odlin Ave. Dayton, Ohio with a light lunch afterwards.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Pam's name to Catholic Social Services or Disabled American Veterans.
To share a memory of Pam, or leave a special message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.