He was born on October 27, 1925, the 5th child and only son born to Elda Ray & Mary J. (Hunter) Hancock. He was the last surviving member of his family having been predeceased by his 5 sisters. He cherished his dad, mom & sisters and he enjoyed reminiscing about them. He’d often cringe though when it was brought up that he was the only boy and how he was spoiled by his grandmothers.
He was named after his great grandfathers, Lewis Hunter and Owen Hancock.
He was a member of the Burney Baptist Church. He graduated from Burney High School in 1943. He retired from Cummins Engine Company in Columbus, Indiana in 1983 after working there 35 years. After retirement from Cummins, he worked at Film Tech part time for 18 years. He was a 50 year member of the Masons where he held the position of Past Worshipful Master and Past Worthy Patron.
On June 24, 1945, he married his forever sweetheart, Mary Lou Scott. Mary Lou was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 32. Through their 61 years of marriage, Lewis never left her side. Although he would never want anyone to tell him how very special he was for how he cared for her.
He loved his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family. He enjoyed hearing about each one and supported them through whatever was happening in their lives. You never left him without him asking about each one and he always wanted them to know he was thinking of them.
He was quick witted. He loved to recite poems and stories that were handed down from generations before him. As a child growing up, his father would make up little ditties about something that was happening in their lives at the time. Lewis remembered those from his childhood and he would take great pride in sharing them with others.
He loved to listen to all genres of music. He’d listen to everything from country to gospel with a little Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Eagles and Dan Fogleberg mixed in. He also enjoyed his television. From watching movies, to IU sports and all the local and cable news channels. He always wanted to stay informed on what was happening in the world around him. It was a great day in Lewis’ life when he figured out how to use the DVR on his television. He was a voracious reader. His favorite place was the library picking out several Wal-Mart bags of books. Fishing was his passion in his earlier years. He was always heading out the door to go “wet a line” at his favorite fishing hole. As he was leaving he’d yell back at Mary Lou to get the skillet hot for all the fish he’d bring back.
Survivors include children: Lewis Michael (Linda) Hancock, Columbus, Indiana and Teresa Kay (Doug) Vanderbur, Greensburg, Indiana; Daughter in Law, Carol A. Hancock, Greensburg, Indiana; Grandchildren: Leslie Hancock, Jody Preston Farina, Alycia Preston, Amy (Steve) Stringer, Kevin Hancock, Greg (Tara) Hancock, Angie (Josh) Southern, Andrew (Tylan) Vanderbur, and Ben Vanderbur, 17 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and many friends. He was preceded in death by his Wife, Mary Lou; Parents, Elda Ray & Mary J. (Hunter) Hancock; Son, Dan L. Hancock; Siblings, Lela Ruth Schock, Leva Ellen Miller, Martha Nell Rutherford, Anna Mae Clark and Esther Gail Dale Mitchell.
The family would like to extend their upmost gratitude to all the staff and dad’s gals at Aspen Place for all the love and compassion they have shown to not only him but also his family during his time there.
A visitation for family and friends will be on Friday, January 29, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. at Gilliland-Howe Funeral Home. All visitors will have to wear a mask and observe social distancing, all public visitation guidelines are subject to change based on current Board of Health restrictions. Rev. Jon Porter will be officiating. Burial will follow at the Milford Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.gilliland-howe.com
