James R. Hanson

James R. Hanson, 74, of Springfield, Illinois died on June 15, 2015. He was born August 25, 1940 to the late George and Gemma (Baldassari) Hanson. He lived in Tinley Park, Illinois and Williamsburg, Michigan during his pre-school years and eventually moved to a dairy farm in Catawba, Wisconsin. Jim attended Catawba Grade School and Phillips High School. He graduated from high school in 1959 and after saving enough money for college, enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering School at the University of Illinois Urbana campus. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1966 and was also a member of the Air Force ROTC program. He married his sweetie, Erika, in 1966 and they spent 49 years together. Jim served four years in the United States Air Force. During that time, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology, was stationed at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey, and subsequently was promoted to Captain. After separating from the Air Force, Jim and Erika moved to Homewood, Illinois where they lived for 33 years raising their four daughters, Amy, Jean, Karen, and Denise. Jim spent most of his career employed as an engineer with Inland Steel Company in East Chicago, Indiana. Jim and Erika moved to Springfield, Illinois in 2003 where they continued to be active in the community. In 2007, he welcomed his first of eight grandchildren and lovingly became "Pa." He is survived by his wife, Erika; daughters, Amy Hanson (Timothy Jackson) of Seattle, Washington, Jean Hanson (Eric Meier) of Seattle, Washington, Karen (Edward) West of Seattle, Washington, and Denise (Jason) Perry of Springfield, IL; grandchildren, Ella and Audrey Jackson, Henry and Lucia Meier, London and Lincoln West, Ben and Norah Perry; step-grandsons, Kurtis and Ethan Perry; sisters, Nancy Hanson (Richard Klein) of Craig, Alaska and Alice (Kenneth) Hughes of Waikoloa, Hawaii; nephews, Daniel and Geoffrey Hughes; cousins, Jerry Krane of Morris, Illinois, George Hanson of Hamlet, Indiana, and John Hanson of Glendale Heights, Illinois; sister-in-law, Lore Leidinger of Chesterton, Indiana; and nieces, Loren Avila and Marianne Barthel. Jim was always busy learning new things and helping others. He enjoyed woodworking, stained glass, genealogy research, home and auto repair, camping, canoeing, gardening, and reading non-fiction library books. He loved most of all caring for his family. His stubbornness, thriftiness, playfulness, and love of learning will carry on. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in honor of Jim Hanson may be made to: Phillips High School, P.O. Box 70, Phillips, WI 54555 for a college scholarship fund in his name. Cremation was accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center.