ORAN -- Gilbert A. Hamm, 71, of Oran died Monday, March 16, 1998, at the Advance Nursing Care Center.

He was born Sept. 27, 1926, at Oran, son of Irmina Caroline Dannenmueller Hamm of Oran and Leo Hamm.

He was a retired farmer and carpenter. He was a member of Guardian Angel Catholic Church in Oran, the St. Joseph Sodality, Knights of Columbus Oran Council 4311 and Morley VFW Post 5368. He served in the U.S. Merchant Marines during World War II.

On Sept. 1, 1948, he married Bertha Enderle. She survives.

He is also survived by his mother, two sons, Michael Hamm of Benton, and Alan Hamm of Oran; two daughters, Pam Whitfield of San Antonio and Paula Hatfield of Oran; a brother, Melvin J. Hamm of Benton; three sisters, Luella Kielhofner of Oran, Doris Mae Pekarek and Carol Ann Welter, both of Cape Girardeau; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a step-great-grandchild.

Friends may call after 4 p.m. today at the Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Oran. Parish prayers will be at 6:30, and a Knights of Columbus prayer service will be at 7:30.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Guardian Angel Catholic Church in Oran, with the Rev. Lewis Hejna officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.