At 6:26 p.m. on December 16, 2025, the Hamlin family of Fort Wayne, Indiana, gently bid farewell to their infant daughter, Frankie Mae. Though her time on earth was brief, her presence radiated immeasurable love, leaving her parents, Samantha and Matthew, surrounded by tenderness and light during her short but meaningful journey.
From the moment of her birth, Frankie was welcomed into a home filled with affection. She completed the family circle alongside her sisters, Bailee G. Reimers and Audrey F. Hamlin, enriching their bonds with joy and anticipation. Her arrival brought new depth to the household, weaving sibling ties into the fabric of daily life.
Grandparents Paula and Scott Reimers, together with Cheryl and Craig Hamlin, offered generational devotion, while uncles Marc Hamlin and Cohen Reimers provided both guidance and playful companionship. This extended family embraced Frankie with warmth, ensuring her days were surrounded by love and protection.
Great‑grandparents Fern Reimers and Carol Schenk celebrated her presence, adding wisdom and continuity to the family’s story. Their involvement reflected the strength of multigenerational unity, where faith and shared traditions created enduring connections across Fort Wayne. Frankie’s brief life reminded loved ones of the beauty found in new beginnings and the importance of cherishing every moment.
Memories of her peaceful spirit now comfort the family. Though she was preceded in death by great‑grandparents Franklin Reimers, Wyman Schenk, Gene and Maxine Hamlin, and Audrey Stockton, her legacy of innocence endures. Community reflections highlight gratitude for the joy she brought, even in her fleeting time, underscoring the fragility of life and the eternal bonds of family.
A memorial service will be held on December 26, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, with visitation beginning at 7:00 p.m. Family and friends will gather to honor her memory, while memorials directed to Loving Benjamin Remembrance Photography, FBC Bereavement with Parkview, or Forever in Your Hearts with Parkview will support others facing similar losses.
Frankie Mae Hamlin is remembered as a child enveloped in boundless parental love, sibling affection, and the embrace of grandparents, uncles, and great‑grandparents. Her legacy continues as a symbol of joy and unity, inspiring those who knew her to treasure life’s tender moments. In this season of remembrance, her gentle spirit stands as a testament to the enduring power of innocence, love, and family bonds within the shared experiences of community life.
