William Earl Hanks, age 85, of Scranton, IA, passed away on Saturday, March 13, 2021at Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson, IA, surrounded by his family.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, March 18, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church in Scranton with Rev. Joyce Webb officiating. Pall bearers will be Bill’s grandchildren. Burial will be in the Scranton Township Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Scranton from 5 – 7 P.M. on Wednesday. Additional visitation will be held at the church from 1:00 – 1:45 P.M. on Thursday prior to the service.
Those in attendance at Bill’s visitation and funeral are asked to abide by Covid-19 guidelines and facemasks are required at the funeral home and the church.
William, also known as Bill and Willie, was born on November 18, 1935 near Galva, IA, and he was the son of Isaac and Velma (Barett) Hanks. Bill’s mother passed away when he was six years old and he was raised by his father and stepmother Frieda. He grew up in the Onawa, Galva, Arthur, Odebolt area, and he graduated from Onawa High School in 1954. He worked for the Arthur Elevator for several years before moving to Scranton in 1968 where he worked for the Scranton Elevator. He was married to Susan Caroline Cole Hanks on March 16, 1957 in Onawa. Bill enjoyed fishing, watching eagles, socializing with friends, going for car rides with his dog Butch, and spending time with his family.
Bill is survived by his five daughters and their families: Rochelle Mitchels (Richard) of Rippey, IA, Lucinda Jean Kelso (Karl) of Carroll, Christine McCool of Coon Rapids, Denise Abermathy (Merle Langner) of Jefferson, and Debra Probasco (Jerry Jones) of Zebulon, NC; his adopted son Michael Hanks of Slater, IA; nineteen grandchildren; forty one great-grandchildren; a brother Dennis Hanks (Rhonda) of Lake City; and several nieces and nephews.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents Isaac and Velma Hanks, his step mother Frieda Hanks; his wife Susan in 2008; nine sisters; and a daughter Tina in infancy.
