John Theodore Hanagan

John was born on Nov. 30, 1937, in McLeansboro, Ill., the fourth of seven children of John Michael and Emma Belva Hanagan. He attended Enfield High School, and was valedictorian of his graduating class.

1957 was a big year for John: He met his future wife, Alice Koester, at a CYO dance in southern Illinois, and he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He attended basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and was stationed at Fort Huachuca in Arizona. It was during his two years in the Army that John learned about and studied computer programming.

He and Alice dated for five years before he proposed; they were united in marriage on Nov. 12, 1962, at St. Joseph's Church in Ridgway, Ill. John didn’t find out until a few years later that Alice “was just about to dump me [before he proposed] because I wasn’t getting serious in our relationship.”

John and Alice moved to Indianapolis in 1967 to raise their growing family. From their happy union, they were blessed with four children to fill their home: Sally, Ted, Tom and Tina.

John took a job with Western Electric AT&T in Indianapolis. "I earned an accounting degree and worked in banking operations at the beginning of this new technology boom," John said. "I later worked for [American Fletcher National Bank] in their credit card division for many years and continued that work until I retired at the age of 60 from Bank One, where I worked for the last 30 years of my employment life.”

John was a devout Catholic, and a longtime member at St. Luke Catholic Church in Indianapolis.

Throughout his life, John gave of himself as a volunteer. He was particularly proud of his work for Right to Life of Indianapolis, spending countless hours praying for the unborn, and comforting and counseling their families. John was active in sidewalk counseling with Truth and Compassion Ministries. In 2007, John was recognized with the Charles E. Stimming Sr. Pro-life Award from Right to Life Indianapolis, for distinguished pro-life volunteer service, at the the 25th annual “Celebrate Life” dinner at the Indiana Convention ¬Center.

“It’s a joy working with John,” Joan Byrum, then-president of Right to Life of Indianapolis, said at the event. “He’s so committed to the Lord. That’s why each and every one of us is here tonight. We’re here for the honor and glory of God … and I cannot thank you enough.”

John volunteered with St. Vincent De Paul for nearly 45 years, having started when he made home visits for St. Luke’s and St. Rita’s parishes. He was a Stephen Minister and also worked with terminally ill patients at St. Vincent Hospice.

Somehow, he also found time to hold court at large family gatherings and dinners, where he always had an appetite for second helpings and card games. Many events wrapped up around the kitchen table with late-evening games of Euchre or Hand and Foot. Though John would never brag, he won seemingly all of the time, and every victory came with his surprised expression and a gasp, as though he himself was surprised by another victory.

His winnings are documented in several Hanagan Family Record Books, in which game scores were recorded over the years — a virtual guest book and timetable of many gatherings.

Each year, the family would congregate for visits and hikes at area parks and recreation areas, culminating in the (usually) annual Hanagan Family Camp-In at Brown County State Park. This was a great joy for John, who delighted in having family time, games, food and Mass at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Nashville, Ind.

This year, the family celebrated the 20th Hanagan Family Camp-In on Father’s Day, in John’s own backyard.

He spent his remaining weeks receiving in-home hospice care, which allowed his family to be with him in his final moments.

John is survived by Alice Hanagan, his wife of 57 years.

Also grateful to have shared his life are his four children and their spouses: Sally Hamlin (Paul) of Indianapolis, Ind.; Theodore Hanagan (Lisa) of Libertyville, Ill.; Thomas Hanagan (Tiffini) of Avon, Ind.; and Christina Hanagan (J.J. Perry) of Detroit Lakes, Minn.

John’s legacy includes 10 grandchildren: Katy Hamlin; Stephanie, Rebekah, Deborah and Christopher Hanagan; and Riley, Isaac, Eva, Lukas and Y.J. Hanagan.

He also leaves behind his siblings -- Vincent Hanagan, Ann Smith and Judy Belva -- and his extended family and friends, all of whom were fortunate to have known him.

John was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings Mary Lassen, Joseph Hanagan and Shirley Hanagan.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, at St. Luke Catholic Church in Indianapolis. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, 2020, at Leppert Mortuary- Nora Chapel. Interment will be at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery in Indianapolis. Leppert Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. www.leppertmortuary.com.

Contributions in John's memory may be made to Right to Life of Indianapolis, St. Vincent de Paul Society, and Truth and Compassion Ministries.