Donald H. Hanna

Donald H. “Don” Hanna, 76, Rockford, passed away on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at Rockford Memorial Hospital. He was born October 22, 1938 in Sterling, Ill. to Merle and Floy (Johnson) Hanna. Don attended Loves Park Grade School and graduated from Harlem High School in 1956. He married Darlene Myers on June 9, 1962 in the Cathedral of St. Peter, Rockford, Ill. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2012.
Don was a member of Grace Lutheran Church since 1947 and served on the church council from 1980 – 1982, and as Chairman of the Congregation in 1982. He again served on the church council from 1997 – 1999, and as Chairman of the Congregation in 1999.
Don was employed as business manager for Swede Clark’s Courtesy Enterprises from 1959 - 1974 during which time he managed: KLEU Radio station in Waterloo, Iowa; a Chrysler dealership in Garland, Texas; Parkway Motors in Loves Park, Ill.; and Courtesy in Beloit, Wisc. In 1974 Don founded Security Management Company, managing many office facilities and apartments in the Rockford area. He was also affiliated with Whitehead Realtors, Rockford, Ill. in the Commercial and Industrial division. American National Bank, looking to build a new facility, hired Don to oversee the construction and building management of the bank. In December 1993, Don joined AMCORE Financial, Inc. as Senior Vice-President and Manager of Facilities and Office Services. At the time of his retirement in 2004, he served as Senior Vice-President of Real Estate and Construction acquiring and constructing more than 30 branch facilities in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin.
Committed to serving the community, Don’s building and construction knowledge led him to serve as general contractor for the Riverfront Museum building project and as President of the board of directors. He was also enlisted by Friends of the Coronado for the restoration and renovation project to restore the Coronado Theatre to its former beauty.
As a member of the University Club of Rockford, Don served on the Board of Directors from 2000 – 2010 and as President in years: 2001, 2002, 2005, and 2006. During his presidency in January 2002, the club voted to allow women members, breaking a 91 year tradition. The University Club of Rockford was reportedly the last University Club in the nation to allow women full memberships. Don was also involved in many remodeling projects including the U. Club’s major renovation and expansion project which began in 2007 and provided handicapped accessibility with the addition of an elevator.
Don was a 10 Year Chef for the Literacy Council of Rockford’s “100 Men Who Cook” fundraiser. A member of the Rockford Rotary, he was also a Paul Harris Fellow. He received many recognitions for his community involvement including the Rockford Park District “Distinguished Service Award” in 1993, the “Ring of Excellence” from AMCORE Financial, Inc., and was honored by Harlem High School in 2000 as one of “90 Huskies Who Made a Difference.” He served on several United Way allocation committees and was Chairman of the Special Projects funding.
Don was active in the Boy Scouts of America, attending the National Jamboree in 1953 at Irvine, Cal. He was a member of the Order of the Arrow Ceremonial Team and attained the rank of Eagle in 1954.
A loving husband, father and grandfather, no matter how many business or community obligations Don had, he always made time for family. He and Darlene loved to travel and vacationed repeatedly to: Bermuda, Aruba, Curacao, New York City, and Key West, Fla. Their love of cruising took them to: Hawaii, the Caribbean, Alaska, the Panama Canal, Australia, Tahiti, and South America. Their 40th wedding anniversary excursion included: a flight on the Concord, riding the Orient Express railway from Venice through the Chunnel to London, and returning to the U.S.A. on the Queen Elizabeth 2. Among other unforgettable experiences were: River cruises in Russia, China, the Amazon; and an African Safari. Great memories were made on family trips to Door County, Wisc., Disneyworld Land & Cruise, Alaska, and Key West, Fla.
From April through October, time was spent at their secluded cabin on the Pecatonica River, “Hanna’s Hideaway” (AKA Mosquito Haven.) Family and friends were always welcome to enjoy a very relaxing, quiet time away from “it all.” When the original cabin was swept away in the “Great Flood of 2010”, Don had the opportunity to oversee the rebuilding of a larger and improved family retreat.
Survived by his wife, Darlene, sons David (Gigi) Hanna and their daughter Elizabeth, of Rockford, Ill., and Douglas (Susan) Hanna and their son Christopher of Trevor, Wisc.; brother Edwin (Becky) Hanna of Rockford, Ill.; sisters-in-law Beverly Graham and Kimberly (James) Viggiano of Rockford, Ill.; brother-in-law Michael (Dana) Myers of Beaufort, N. Ca.; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. Predeceased by his parents. Don will be dearly missed by those he left behind.
Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 29th, 2015 at Grace Lutheran Church, 343 Grand Ave.; Loves Park, IL with Reverend Brent Dahlseng officiating. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to University Club of Rockford Scholarship Fund, 945 N. Main St., Rockford, Illinois 61103; or Friends of the Coronado, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, Illinois 61101; or Grace Lutheran Church, 343 Grand Ave., Loves Park, Illinois 61111. Arrangements by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford, IL 61108.