Hans A. Hanke

Hans A. Hanke was called up to heaven on Saturday, October 8th, 2016 in Stevensville, MI just ten days after his 88th birthday.  A beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Hans was a resident of St. Joseph, MI where he lived with his wife Waltraud until her passing in June. Hans was born on September 28th, 1928 to parents Heinrich Wenzel Hanke and Emilie Theresa Czerwenka in the city of Nestomitz –then part of Germany’s Sudentenland, and presently the Czech Republic.  He was the youngest of seven siblings, Karl, Emi,l Heinz, Linda, Rudi, and Marianne. Raised in a strict Catholic household, Hans spent his mischievous childhood running around with his brothers, sisters, and friends dodging the iron rule of his parents and priests. Hans was also an athlete. He enjoyed the game of soccer and was a goalie. By his teenage years, Hans had begun his apprenticeship as a tool maker, a trade that would carry him through life. The Second World War cut short his childhood as he saw his brothers called into military service, an event that forever separated the Hanke family. At 17, he enlisted in the Navy and was eventually taken prisoner of war. After the war ended, Hans was released, but could not return to his hometown as it was occupied by Soviet forces. Unbeknownst to him, he had lost two of his siblings and his mother during the war and his remaining family was forced to leave their home and all their possessions behind. With no place to go, Hans joined his brother and aunt in Bad Essen, a town in northwest Germany and went to work at a nearby farm in the small village of Huesede. One day, he rang the doorbell of an old farmhouse and it was answered by Waltraud “Vi” Scherler, whom he married on May 26th, 1951. With their infant son Mike and all of their possessions in a small wooden crate, the couple set out in search of the American dream arriving in New York City in November of 1953–eventually settling in Benton Harbor. Hans found work in the manufacturing sector at Whirlpool, and their daughter Carol was born a few years later. The two became American citizens and instilled in their children a hard work ethic and all the love that two parents could give. Hans would go on to work for Industrial Rubber and later retire from Bendix in 1991. Hans was a lifelong cubs fan, an avid golfer, a lover of animals, and never missed a chance to dance with his lovely wife Vi. The two regularly attended band concerts at the John E.N. Howard Band Shell in St. Joseph and were active members of St Matthews Lutheran Church in Benton Harbor. For sixty-five years Hans & Vi Hanke were virtually inseparable on this planet. What God joined together in May of 1951 was never remotely asunder until the Lord called her home this summer. In the final moments of her life on Tuesday, June 21, 2016 they pledged to one another to reunite in heaven. They accomplished that task on a crisp, sunny Saturday afternoon this weekend. Hans was preceded in death by his parents, five of his six siblings, a brother in law Fritz Scherler and nephew Klaus Scherler, of Spokane, Washington, and beloved pets Sandy and Kelsey. He leaves behind his son Mike (Sherron) Hanke of Fort Worth, Texas, his daughter Carol (Pat) Moody of St. Joseph, Michigan, grandsons Eric Hanke of Austin, Texas and Matthew Hanke of Richardson, Texas, step-granddaughter Patricia (Shawn) Brown of Sammanish, Washington, step-grandsons Matthew Perez from Norman, Oklahoma, Sean (Jennifer) Perez from Dallas, Texas, Jason (Emily) Moody of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Peter Moody of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, step-greatgrandsons Sterling and Tyson Brown of Sammanish, Washington, sister-in-law Freida Scherler of Spokane, Washington, and his very special furry friend Chuck who followed him everywhere. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services. Cremation has taken place. Visitation with family members will take place at 10am on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel at 2650 Niles Road in St. Joseph, followed by services at 11am. Private interment will take place with family later that day at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. In lieu of flowers, family members ask that donations be considered to the Humane Society of Southwest Michigan, Animal Aid of SW Michigan, or St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Benton Harbor.