FRANKLIN – Ruth J. Hamel, 93, died at her home in Franklin, Jan. 18, 2004, with her family at her side. She was born March 2, 1910, in Greenville, the daughter of Daniel and Pearl (Lampher) Jardine. She received her teachers certificate from Gorham State Normal School in 1930, and taught first grade for nearly 36 years in Brownville Junction. She was a member of the OES in Brownville, and the Brownville Junction Methodist Church. Ruth spent her summers on First Roach Pond with her husband, the “Mayor” Tom for many years. She enjoyed reading, crocheting, cooking and was noted for splitting her own kindling wood up until just a short time ago. She is survived by her daughter, Teddy and her husband, Paul Giles, of Franklin; one son, Daniel Hamel and his wife, Maura, of Lompoc, Calif.; nine grandchildren, Kevin, Keith and Walter, Lynn, Mike, Paul Jr., Bill, Carol and Eric; 14 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Thelma MacDonald of Greenville, and Charlotte Keirstead of Farmington; one brother, Robert Jardine and his wife, Edith, of Bower Bank; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Tom Hamel, in 1990. Friends are invited to visit with the family 2-4 p.m. Wednesday at the Bragdon-Kelley-Campbell Funeral Home, 215 Main St., Ellsworth. A memorial service will be held later in the spring. Interment will be at Bayview Cemetery, Franklin. Memorial contributions may be made to either the Brownville Junction Methodist Church, Brownville, Junction, ME 04415 or the Franklin Veteran’s Club, P.O. Box 66, Franklin, ME 04634. A memorial register is available online at Legacy.com.
RUTH J. HAMEL
