Jerry Leroy Hanner

Jerry Leroy Hanner, husband and best friend of Carrol Hanner of Mason died on January 29, 2015 at the age of 71 with loved ones at his side. He is preceded in death by his brother Denny Hanner, parents Clarence & Anna Hanner of Alpena Michigan.

He is survived by his wife Carrol, his daughters; Gail (Mary Sanchez) Ranshaw of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Pam (Doug) Johnson of Charlotte, Michigan and Teresa Ranshaw of Lansing, Michigan, as well as one granddaughter, three grandsons and many great-grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters; Della (Bernard) Trueman, Carol (Bill) Rassmussen, Mona Hanner and Vicky Brewington as well as many nieces and nephews he adored. Jerry Hanner is survived by many friends and an entire fleet of transportation truck drivers whom he cared for, loved and entertained throughout his career, and they him.

Jerry worked in the bakery transportation industry since before work permits were required of minors. He worked alongside his father Clarence at Douville's Bakery as a boy in Alpena and remained in the bakery business until his retirement in January, 2014. Jerry Hanner was the Superintendent of Transportation for Aunt Millie’s Bakery (also Shafer’s Bakery in Lansing). It was a pleasure for him to work with and for these men and women as they navigated the highways, streets and towns of Lower Michigan into Indiana. Jerry was a cross between a human GPS and an old fashioned operator switchboard. He was “Johnny on the spot” with the where and when his route trucks might be on the highways 24/7 and his drivers trusted him. He sent rescue, assigned pick-ups and re-routed their transportation assignments as changes in weather, demand for product and absenteeism impacted their jobs. He and his drivers worked double duty on Memorial weekends, 4th of July, and Labor Day…the phone rang off the hook! Jerry was a master at his job and he was a master at conversing with people.

Those close to Jerry know that his belly shakes when he laughs…from the early days of his large beer belly era to the more recent years of his thin and frail stature…his belly shook, jiggled and moved when he celebrated the funny segments of conversation with you. Jerry had a smile on his face or in his eye, ready to warm your heart and lighten your load. Jerry Leroy Hanner was a stinker as a child, sowed some wild oats as a young man (the police were on the lookout for a red-head in a red mustang), saw value in structure, people and work and then mellowed into a man with a kind heart, a welcome handshake, a loving perspective who treated everyone with respect. He loved hot coco with whipped cream on top, popsicles and pickled bologna! He was the cat’s meow, the cherry on top!

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jerry’s memory to the Lung Association of Michigan, 1475 East 12 Mile Road, Madison Heights, MI 48071; or www.lung.org/associations/states/michigan/index.html